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Use "Neither and Nor" in a Sentence

李伟
李伟
Use "Neither and Nor" in a Sentence
Hi there! My son has an exercise about subject-verb agreement, and we’re a bit unsure about one of the sentences. It’s like, 'Neither the teachers nor the principal __ (was/were) at the meeting.' Which verb form should we use here?
李伟_
1
Last update: 2 days ago
1 answers
Mary Garcia
Mary Garcia
Mary Ga. - Tutor account
Near Native Speaker
Philippines

Hi there, 李伟!

'Neither...nor' can join two singular subjects or one plural and another singular subject.


If it is connecting two singular subjects then use a singular verb.

For example: Neither the cat nor the dog finishes its food for lunch so Grace is quite worried.


If it joins two plural subjects then use a plural verb.

For example: Neither the tourists nor the tour guides want to go to the waterfalls today because of the heavy rain.


If it connects one singular subject and a plural subject, use a verb that agrees with the one nearest to it.

Examples: 

> Neither Martha nor her brothers know that there is a chocolate cake in the fridge.

> Neither the teachers nor the principal is aware that one of the students got into an accident this morning.


To answer your homework:

'Neither the teachers nor the principal was at the meeting.


0
Last update: 6 months ago
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