[Grammar] Subject-Verb Agreement with Correlative Conjunctions

[Yonsu99]

Convention 1 The Proximity Rule. Under this convention, the element nearest the verb determines whether it is singular or plural. For example:

• Neither the lorry nor the vans are available.

(The element nearest the verb is plural, so the verb is plural.)


Convention 2 The Logic Rule. Under this convention, if any of the elements are plural, the verb is plural. For example:

• Neither the lorries nor the van are available.

(The first element is plural, so the verb is plural. This would be wrong using The Proximity Rule.)

http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/correlative_conjunctions.htm#egQv1KLPCSySAX0C.99

I was taught if there's a singular noun nearest the verb, the verb should be singular, so I think The Logic Rule is wrong, 'are' in "Neither the lorries nor the van are" is incorrect because of the singular noun 'van'. Isn't it?

 

[tzfujimino]

Hello, Yonsu99.:-D
I would follow 'The Proximity Rule', which would make the "subject-verb agreement" a lot easier for us.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Normally, I would follow the proximity rule, but different people handle this situation in different ways.