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When two singular nouns are joined together, then what(singular or plural) will be the result?

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

A verb (that is, the action word) must agree with its subject (that is, the noun or the pronoun doing that action) in number and person.

• If the noun or the pronoun (the subject) is in the singular number, the verb is also in the singular number.

Examples:

This grape is sour.

The child loves ice cream.

• If the noun or the pronoun (the subject) is in the plural number, the verb is also in the plural number.

Examples:

These grapes are sour.

Children love ice cream.

• If there are two or more singular nouns joined together by ‘and’, the verb is in the plural.

Examples:

Amina and Irshad were playing tennis.

Lizards, snakes and crocodiles are reptiles.

# However, if two singular nouns suggest one idea, or if they refer to the same person or thing, the verb is in the singular.

Examples:

Soup and toast is a light but nutritious meal.

My friend and guide is my mother.

• In a sentence where a group of words (a phrase) is joined to a singular subject by ‘as well as’ or ‘with’, the verb is in the singular.

Examples:

The Prime Minister, as well as her Cabinet of Ministers, was forced to resign.

The briefcase, with all my certificates, is lost.

• Each, everyone, someone, either, neither, etc when used as a subject, are all followed by a singular verb.

Examples:

Neither of the two dresses is suitable for the occasion.

Everyone is invited.

• In the case of either-or and neither-nor, the verb is in the singular if the two nouns suggest a common idea.

Examples:

Neither his mother nor his father is literate.

Neither reward nor punishment has any effect on him.

# However, if one of the two nouns is plural the verb is determined by the noun closer to it. 

Examples:

An apple and some oranges are lying on the table.

Some apples and an orange is lying on the table.

• If the noun is plural in form but singular in meaning, the verb is in the singular.

Examples:

Mathematics is an important subject.

No news is good news.

• If the noun is singular in form but plural in meaning, the verb is in the plural.

Examples:

A dozen eggs cost twenty rupees.

Two and two make four.