1.   If the subject is singular, use a singular verb.

2.   Elan Chambers contended that the word half modified the singular collective noun staff and should take the singular verb seems.

3.   If one were the antecedent, then that would be followed by a singular verb, sounds, with an s.

4.   Take your shot with a singular verb, treating the name of the team without an s, as you would a city.