Subject-verb agreement can be tricky, especially when dealing with compound subjects that are joined by conjunctions like « neither-nor. » The rule for subject-verb agreement in « neither-nor » statements is straightforward, yet it still eludes many writers and speakers. In this article, we will discuss the rules and best practices when dealing with subject-verb agreement in « neither-nor » sentences.

The basic rule for subject-verb agreement in « neither-nor » sentences is that the verb must agree with the nearest subject. When two subjects are joined by « neither-nor, » both subjects are considered negative, and the verb should be in the singular form. For example:

– Neither the cat nor the dog likes to eat broccoli.

– Neither the teacher nor the students was happy with the test results.

– Neither the book nor the movie is worth your time.

In the examples above, the verb « likes, » « was, » and « is » agree with the nearest subject, which is singular.

Things can get a bit tricky when one of the subjects is plural, but the same rule still applies. The verb should still agree with the nearest subject. For example:

– Neither the cats nor the dog likes to eat broccoli.

– Neither the teacher nor the students were happy with the test results.

– Neither the books nor the movie is worth your time.

In the first example, the verb « likes » agrees with the singular subject « dog. » In the second example, the verb « were » agrees with the plural subject « students. » In the third example, the verb « is » agrees with the nearest subject « movie, » which is singular.

It`s essential to pay attention to the nearest subject to ensure proper subject-verb agreement. Writers and speakers can avoid confusion by keeping sentences short and straightforward, which makes it easier to identify the nearest subject.

In summary, subject-verb agreement in « neither-nor » statements can be easy to master if one understands the basic rules. Remember, the verb should agree with the nearest subject, whether singular or plural. Writers and speakers should keep their language as simple as possible to ensure clarity in their communication. By adhering to these rules, one can avoid common errors that could hamper effective communication.