We use singular verbs after indefinite pronouns (everybody, nobody etc.) as subjects. We usually use singular verbs after subjects beginning with none of and neither of in formal situations.
Example:
Nobody except his parents was silling to help.
None of the candidates has much support.
Neither of King Henry's sons was born in France.
We use singular verbs after some subjects that seem to be plural: some nouns ending in -s, phrases describing an amount and some combinations with and. There are some nouns such as people and police which appear to be singular, but which are used with a plural verb.
Example:
Cards is more than a game for some people.
Measles is a disease.
Fifty pounds is too much.
Twenty miles was too far and two days wasn't enough time.
Tom and Jerry is a rather violent cartoon.
The police are trying to stop speeding in the city, but people are still driving too fast.
We can use a group noun as subject to refer to several people, with a plural verb, or to refer to the group as a single unit, with a singular verb, depending on our point of view.
Example:
The Welsh team are getting tired (team = players of the team).
The Welsh team is in the second place (team = unit).
The committee have not expressed all their views.
The committee has not reached as decision yet.
Other group nouns include: audience, class, crowd, enemy, family, government, orchestra, staff