Find the Subject
The subject of a verb will never start with a word like
'of'. In the first example below, the subject is not 'of the offices' or 'offices'. It is
'evacuation', which is singular.
A phrase like 'of the offices' or 'of nails' (called a 'prepositional phrase') does not affect whether the main word is singular or plural.
Examples:
 The evacuation of the offices is the floor manager's responsibility.
("evacuation" is singular, hence "is" and not 'are')
A box of tapes were discovered in his car.
(The word "box" is singular. It should be 'was' and not "were".)
A combination of factors were the cause of the crash.
(combination is singular)
He [Bernard Shaw] hasn't an enemy in the world, and none of his friends like him.
(Oscar Wilde)
(The word "none" is singular. It should be "none of his friends
likes him".)
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SUBJECT OF A VERB?
Verbs are doing words like 'to jump', 'to print', 'to be (am, are, is etc.)', 'to
see' etc.) (See lesson Verbs.)
The subject of a verb is the person or thing doing the action.
 The mouse is still under the fridge.
("Mouse" is the subject of the verb 'to be'.)
Helen's boss drinks like a fish during the day.
("Helen's boss" is the subject of the verb 'to drink'.)
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BEWARE OF NONE
The word 'none' is singular. However, it is often mistakenly treated as plural - particularly when accompanied by a prepositional phrase.
 None of them were present.
("of them" - prepositional phrase)
None of them was present.
None of the brothers carries
a knife.
(note: "carries" is the singular form. E.g., he carries / they carry)
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