4 Compound Topics If subjects are bound by «or,» «neither/ni,» «not only/but also,» etc., use the subject closest to the verb to determine whether the verb should be singular or plural ex. Neither the boys nor their sister. ex. Neither the girl nor her brothers do the laundry. 10 Reminders Remember that your theme will NEVER be «there,» so be careful with an unusual word order in your sentences. ex. There`s papers on the desk. ex. There`s a spider on the wall. Keep in mind that names like mumps, measles, news, mathematics and economics take individual verbs.

11 Other names of memories that end in «s» but are in fact only an object, take the plural verbs. Z.B. Pants, pliers and scissors Remember to check carefully the subjects that are separated from the verb by words or phrases. Ex. John, along with his two friends, works in the pizza parlor.