How do you know if a subject is singular or plural in a sentence?

The subject usually begins the statement

The subject is normally a noun phrase or a pronoun.

If the subject is a pronoun then you must know which pronouns are singular which pronouns are plural eg singular - he she it I you, plural - we they

If the subject is a noun then plural nouns usually end in -s. eg box = boxes, boy = boys, table = tables. Some plural nouns don't eg child = children, man = men, foot = feet.

.

If the subject is a noun phrase then sometimes it is not so easy to decide if the subject is plural or singular. Some examples:

All the children in room 8 like Mr Brown. -- plural subject = children

His humility towards everybody reflects his christian beliefs -- singular subject = humility.

The Prime Minister together with his wife greets the press cordially. -- singular subject = prime minister