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I'm doing a simple present tense exercise, but I've come across a problem.

Rohan and Sania_______(like) to play card games.

Being native speaker I know that 'like' sounds (and probably is) correct. However, when I was looking at the rules for simple present tense it says that if the subject is singular noun or pronoun then the verb ends in -s. Are Rohan and Sania considered singular nouns? If so, should 'like' not end in -s?

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Here, the compound subject consists of two singular nouns, viz., "Rohan and Sania". Therefore, the verb should be in the III person plural (they) form, which is "like" and not "likes".

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  • Both yours and the above answers were very well explained - thank you!
    – user1593993
    Jun 25, 2015 at 14:30
  • It's a pleasure!
    – Sankarane
    Jun 25, 2015 at 18:25
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The correct answer would be

Rohan and Sania like to play card games.

Compound subjects linked by and take the plural form of the verb. See this link for your reference. Rules 1, 2 and 3 will be most helpful for compound subjects

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    Thanks for your answer and the link! I've just started Rex Barks by Phyllis Davenport and she teaches you how to do sentence diagramming...excited!
    – user1593993
    Jun 25, 2015 at 14:28

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