Which rule best describes subject-verb agreement with a compound subject joined by and?

• A. The verb takes singular form
• B. The verb takes plural form
• C. The verb always uses 'is'
• D. The verb must agree with the nearest noun

Answer: (B)

When a subject is made up of two or more things connected by and, the verb usually takes a plural form because you’re talking about more than one thing. For example, the teacher and the students are preparing for the test, and the cat and the dog are outside. The idea is that the entire subject refers to a group, so the verb should reflect that plural sense. There are exceptions where the pair is viewed as a single unit or idea, and then a singular verb can be used, as in bread and butter is on the table or macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish. But in the standard case, the verb agrees with the whole compound subject, not just one part or the nearest noun. That’s why the plural form is the best rule.