How to Use either or neither nor #2 | Learn English Grammar | Intermediate | Step by Step

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we’re going to continue where we left off last time in our discussion of the correlative conjunctions “either/or” and “neither/nor.”

To review: We learned last time that either/or and neither/nor take a singular verb when they join two singular subjects, like so:

Either a movie or a board game is fine for a fun night in.

Neither Michael Myers nor Jason Voorhees holds a candle to Freddy Krueger.

Hey, what can I say? At least Freddy talks!

Anyway, be sure to learn this rule only for singular subjects. When the nouns joined by either/or and neither/nor aren’t both singular, however, the rule changes.

Rule #1: When the correlative conjunctions are used to combine two plural nouns, use a plural verb

Either the girls or the boys are going to the zoo.

In other words: Either the girls are going to the zoo, or the boys are going to the zoo.

Either way, several kids are going to the zoo!

In like manner: Neither the girls nor the boys are going to the zoo because a storm is brewing.

In this case, no kids are going to the zoo.

Now let’s look at Rule #2: When the correlative conjunctions are used to combine one plural and one singular noun, the verb agrees with the noun closest to it

Either Jack or his parents are getting the takeout from the restaurant.

Here, the noun closest to the verb “are getting” is “parents,” which is plural. As such, we use the plural “are.”

But look what happens when we switch it around:

Neither Jack’s parents nor Jack’s grandpa is watching the movie.

In this example, Jack’s grandpa, one person, is the noun closest to the verb, so we use the singular “is.”

And that’s all there is to it, Excelians! Be sure to check back next time for more grammar fun!







Chapter
0:00 Start
0:23 To Review: When to Use Singluar Verb with Either/Neither
0:31 When to Use Plural verb with Either/Neither
0:39 Rule#1 & Examples
1:16 Rule#2 & Examples
2:00 closing

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