Fill in the blanks.
1Neither Sam nor his parents ............... there.
Wrong!
With "neither... nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject, so "were" agrees with "his parents".
2Neither James nor his father ...............
Wrong!
With "neither... nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject, so "smokes" agrees with "his father".
3The mother along with her children ............... waiting for the bus.
Wrong!
The phrase "along with her children" does not change the singular subject, so "is" is correct.
4Neither you nor I ............... right.
Wrong!
With "neither... nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject, so "am" agrees with "I".
5The politician and statesman ............... no more.
Wrong!
One article before two titles shows one person is meant, so "is" is correct.
6The man as well as his wife ............... convicted.
Wrong!
The phrase "as well as his wife" does not change the singular subject, so "was" is correct.
7Being able to speak several languages ............... an advantage.
Wrong!
A gerund phrase used as the subject takes a singular verb, so "is" is correct.
8Running ............... good for health.
Wrong!
A gerund used as the subject takes a singular verb, so "is" is correct.
9Where they have gone ............... a mystery.
Wrong!
A noun clause used as the subject takes a singular verb, so "is" is correct.
10The man and his wife ............... waiting outside.
Wrong!
Two people joined by "and" form a plural subject, so "are" is correct.
11Either he or you ............... to go.
Wrong!
With "either... or", the verb agrees with the nearer subject, so "have" agrees with "you".
Done.
Score: 0/11
Answers
- Neither Sam nor his parents were there.
- Neither James nor his father smokes
- The mother along with her children is waiting for the bus.
- Neither you nor I am right.
- The politician and statesman is no more.
- The man as well as his wife was convicted.
- Being able to speak several languages is an advantage.
- Running is good for health.
- Where they have gone is a mystery.
- The man and his wife are waiting outside.
- Either he or you have to go.
