When the subjects connected by or or nor are of different numbers, the plural subject should be written last and it should be followed by a plural verb.
- Neither the manager nor his assistants were present at the meeting.
When the subjects connected by or or nor are of different persons, the verb should agree in person with the subject nearest to it. The subjects should be arranged in the proper order – second person, first; third person, second; first person, last
- Neither you nor I am responsible for this.
Complete the following sentences using a verb form that agrees with the subject in number and person.
1Neither the principal nor the lecturers ............... present at the meeting.
Wrong!
The verb agrees with the nearer plural subject, so "were" is correct.
2Either Mehta or his parents ............... responsible for this.
Wrong!
The verb agrees with the nearer plural subject, so "are" is correct.
3Neither Mehta nor his parents ............... responsible for this.
Wrong!
The verb agrees with the nearer plural subject, so "are" is correct.
4Neither the chief minister nor his colleagues ............... given any explanation for this.
Wrong!
The auxiliary agrees with the nearer plural subject, so "have" is correct.
5Neither he nor I ............... money to spare for this.
Wrong!
The verb agrees with the nearer subject "I", so "have" is correct.
6Neither you nor Ram ............... to be capable of doing this.
Wrong!
The verb agrees with the nearer singular subject, so "seems" is correct.
7Either you or Gopal ............... to take the lead in this matter.
Wrong!
The verb agrees with the nearer singular subject, so "has" is correct.
Answers
- Neither the principal nor the lecturers were present at the meeting.
- Either Mehta or his parents are responsible for this.
- Neither Mehta nor his parents are responsible for this.
- Neither the chief minister nor his colleagues have given any explanation for this.
- Neither he nor I have money to spare for this.
- Neither you nor Ram seems to be capable of doing this.
- Either you or Gopal has to take the lead in this matter.
