Always Singular Subjects
First it might be helpful to remember that the singular form of all verbs except to be and to have is formed by adding "s" or "es." For example: dives, runs, answers and crashes, presses and tosses.
When used as a subject or adjective these indefinite pronouns are always singular and, therefore, they take singular verbs.
| another | anybody | anyone | anything | each | each one | either |
| every | everybody | everything | much | neither | nobody | no one |
| nothing | one | other | somebody | something | someone |
These pronouns may be used as subjects, and they take a singular verb.
- Everyone has been invited.
- She said that something was all she wanted for her birthday.
- The Democratic leadership suggested two solutions but neither was acceptable to the committee chair.
- When they are used as adjectives, the noun they modify always takes a singular verb
- Neither solution works for the committee chair.
- Each tragedy gives the population given less time to recover from the previous shock.
The number--when used as subject of a sentence (an organized unit)—takes a singular verb.
- The number of tenants without heat is increasing.
Subjects that stand for definable units of money, measurement, time, organization, food and medical problems always take singular verbs.
- Six months is not enough time.
- Five thousand dollars is the minimum bid.
- Ham and eggs is my favorite meal.
Singular subject followed by phrases such as together with and as well as take singular verb.
- The tax measure, together with its amendments, has passed.
When all parts of a compound subject are singular and refer to same person or thing.
- The head of the expedition and mayor of the village was the same person.
When the subject is followed by the phrase "the only one of."
- Jake is the only one of the runners who has finished.
- BUT: Jake is one of those runners who have finished.
- In this case, Jake is one of many [those] runners. The verb "have" agrees with "those runners" not with Jake.)