Neither Nor Subject Verb Agreement Rules: A Comprehensive Guide
Subject-verb agreement is crucial in effective communication. It ensures that the subject and the verb in a sentence correspond in number, i.e., singular or plural. Nonetheless, certain constructions are tricky, like the “neither nor” combination. In this article, we`ll delve into the rules governing neither nor subject-verb agreement, including the common mistakes to avoid.
What is “Neither Nor”?
“Neither nor” is a conjunction used to connect two negative choices. It means “not this one, not that one.” When “neither nor” comes up in a sentence, it always implies two subjects. Therefore, whenever you use “neither nor,” you must pay attention to the subject-verb agreement rules.
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules for “Neither Nor”
Rule 1: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
When using “neither nor,” ensure that the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. For instance: “Neither the cats nor the dog is happy” is correct, and “Neither the dog nor the cats are happy” is incorrect. In the first sentence, “dog” is singular, so the verb “is” matches, while the second sentence is incorrect because “cats” is plural, and the verb should be “are.”
Rule 2: The verb is determined by the last subject in the pair.
When your “neither nor” construction involves two different subjects with different numbers (one singular, the other plural), the verb will match the last subject in the pair. For example, “Neither the cat nor the dogs like cheese” is correct, and “Neither the dogs nor the cat likes cheese” is incorrect. In the first sentence, the verb “like” matches the plural noun “dogs,” which is the last subject in the pair.
Rule 3: The verb is singular if both subjects are singular.
When the two subjects joined by “neither nor” are both singular, the verb should be singular. For example, “Neither my friend nor my teacher likes ice cream” is correct.
Rule 4: The verb is plural if both subjects are plural.
When the two subjects joined by “neither nor” are both plural, the verb should be plural. For example, “Neither the students nor the teachers are happy” is correct.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Failing to match the verb with the nearest subject
Incorrect: Neither the employees nor the manager are available.
Correct: Neither the manager nor the employees are available.
Mistake 2: Using a singular verb when one of the subjects is plural
Incorrect: Neither he nor his friends likes pizza.
Correct: Neither he nor his friends like pizza.
Mistake 3: Using a plural verb when one of the subjects is singular
Incorrect: Neither the teacher nor the students were satisfied.
Correct: Neither the teacher nor the students was satisfied.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is essential in effective communication, so it`s crucial to understand the rules governing neither nor. Remember to match the verb with the nearest subject, follow the rules on verb tense, and be cautious when using different subjects with different numbers. By avoiding these common mistakes, you`ll be able to construct grammatically correct sentences using “neither nor.”