Question

every man,woman and child________(was, were) happy​

Answer 1

Every man,woman and child were happy

Answer 2

Every man, woman, and child was happy.

Since the subject is singular 'was' is to be used. 'Every' is a word that signifies each subject individually i.e., singularly. It does not make the subject plural. Had it been plural, were would have been the right answer.

• Whenever the subject is singular, the plural form of the verb is to be used. For example, he is walking with me. 'Is' is used since the subject i.e., 'he' is singular.
• On the other hand, when the subject is plural, the singular firm of the verb is to be used. For example, they are playing with me. 'Are' is used since the subject i.e., 'they' is plural.