Final answer:
When two or more subjects are joined by 'and', the verb is typically plural, but there are exceptions. If the subjects form a single idea or unit, the verb is singular. If the subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb agrees with the word closest to it.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the English language, when two or more subjects are joined by the conjunction 'and', the verb used is typically plural. However, there are exceptions. If the subjects joined by 'and' form a single idea or unit, the verb used is singular. Additionally, if the subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb should agree with the word closest to it.
For example, 'Red beans and rice is my favorite meal' and 'Either your mother or your uncles remember your grandmother's gumbo recipe.'
It is important to consider the specific context of the sentence to determine whether a singular or plural verb is needed.