Ralph are dating Estelle.

Does that sound right? Of course it does not. But sometimes, especially in long sentences or sentences with unusual patterns, we make that kind of mistake. The way to correct the problem is to seek out the subject - in this case, Ralph - and see if it agrees with the verb in number. There is only one Ralph here, so the verb should be "is."

Ralph is dating Estelle.

How about this:

Ralph and Estelle is dating.

In this case we have two subjects so the verb must indicate plurality.

Ralph and Estelle are dating.

Correcting this kind at problem is largely a matter of listening to the subject and verb to hear if they sound right together. Find the subject first.

On all the TV shows Estelle watched, there were commercials for underarm deodorant. (In this case the subject is commercials, a plural) then see that the verb agrees with it. Could we say, "There was commercials?" No. Commercials is a plural word so the verb must indicate plurality.

There were commercials.

Sometimes the subject and verb may be separated by many other words, but they still must agree.

One of the fiery cheerleaders is very appealing to Ralph.
The subject is "One" so the verb must be singular. "One is."

When we have two subjects joined by "or" or "nor", a different rule applies, however. The verb should agree in number with the one subject closest to it.

Neither Ralph nor Estelle is an honor student.
Neither Estelle nor her friends are going to the game.
Estelle or the cheerleader is constantly on Ralph's mind.

However, when we go back to a dual subject without the "nor" or "or" however, we return to agreement with plurality.

Estelle and the cheerleader are constantly on Ralph's mind.

Just remember to find the subject and the verb and read them to see if they sound right together.

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