How to Use Singular Forms
When speaking English, it is always necessary to get the noun verb agreement of your sentence correct in order for the meaning to be conveyed. To do this and sound normal to a native speaker, you must match the type of noun with the verb you are using. Using the singular and plural forms of verbs and nouns together correctly is the key to making your sentences sound natural and correct.
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Instructions
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Choose the appropriate noun to use in your sentence. If you are referring to one person or object, the singular form of the word is appropriate---for example, one "shark." If you are referring to multiple objects, use the plural form---for example, multiple "sharks."
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Choose a verb that agrees with your noun. If you're using a singular noun, you must use a singular form of the verb. The same rule applies to plural forms. Verbs, however, do not make a plural by adding "s" like nouns do. Typically, you will add an "s" to the verb if the noun is singular ("The boy swims") and leave it off if the noun is plural ("The boys swim").
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Use a singular verb if you are using two singular nouns connected by a word such as "or" or "either," for example, "John or Dave drives." If you are using a singular and a plural noun in this manner, you must always use the plural form of the verb, with the plural noun coming last in the order of the sentence ("Bill or his daughters drive"). Use the plural if you are using the word "and," for example, "John and Dave drive."
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Use the singular form of a verb when referring to specific numbers such as times or values of money. For example, you would say "Twenty dollars is owed to the driver," as opposed to "Twenty dollars are owed to the driver."
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The use of the singular form or plural form of a verb when you pair it with a collective noun, such as "team" or "group," depends on how you use the noun. If you are referring to the team as a whole, use the singular form ("The team loses"). If you are referring to the individuals in a group, use the plural form ("The Lakers fight among themselves").
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