Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of the English language that ensures the proper flow and coherence of sentences. It is crucial to understand the rules and apply them correctly, especially when it comes to using “either-or” and “neither-nor.” These phrases can cause confusion and make it challenging to decide which verb tense to use. In this article, we will tackle subject-verb agreement with either-or and neither-nor exercises.
First, let`s define either-or and neither-nor. Either-or is a phrase used to present two options, indicating that only one of them is possible. For example, “Either I will go to the beach or stay at home.” Neither-nor, on the other hand, is used to express the negative form of either-or. It means that neither of two options is possible. For instance, “Neither John nor Mary wants to go to the concert.”
Now, let`s dive into subject-verb agreement exercises with either-or and neither-nor.
Exercise 1: Choose the correct verb tense
Either the cat or the dog (is/are) responsible for the mess.
Answer: Either the cat or the dog is responsible for the mess.
Explanation: In either-or constructions, the verb agrees with the noun closest to it. In this case, “dog” is singular, so we use the singular verb form “is.”
Exercise 2: Choose the correct verb tense
Neither the teacher nor the students (wants/want) to have a quiz today.
Answer: Neither the teacher nor the students want to have a quiz today.
Explanation: Neither-nor constructions also follow the same rule as either-or. The verb agrees with the noun closest to it. In this case, “students” is plural, so we use the plural verb form “want.”
Exercise 3: Choose the correct verb tense
Either the boss or the employees (is/are) responsible for the company`s success.
Answer: Either the boss or the employees are responsible for the company`s success.
Explanation: The same rule applies here. The verb agrees with the noun closest to it. In this construction, “employees” is plural, so we use the plural verb form “are.”
Exercise 4: Choose the correct verb tense
Neither the books nor the magazines (was/were) appealing to me.
Answer: Neither the books nor the magazines were appealing to me.
Explanation: As mentioned earlier, neither-nor constructions follow the same rule as either-or. In this case, “magazines” and “books” are plural, so we use “were.”
Exercise 5: Choose the correct verb tense
Either Jennifer or her friends (is/are) going to the party.
Answer: Either Jennifer or her friends are going to the party.
Explanation: As with all either-or constructions, the verb agrees with the noun closest to it. In this example, “friends” is plural, so we use “are.”
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement with either-or and neither-nor constructions is essential to ensure the proper flow and coherence of sentences. Remember that the verb agrees with the noun closest to it. Practice these exercises to improve your understanding and application of grammatical rules.
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