In the above example, the plural verb are agrees with the nearer subject actors. In this example, the singular verb is agrees with the nearer subject director. 5. Inverted Subjects must agree with the verb. 6. Collective Nouns (group, jury, crowd, team, etc.) may be singular or plural, depending on meaning. In this example, the jury is acting as one unit; therefore, the verb is singular. In this example, the jury members are acting as twelve individuals; therefore, the verb is plural. 7. Titles of single entities (books, organizations, countries, etc.) are always singular.