ANSWERS: 1
  • Whether the article "or" takes a singular or plural verb depends not on the word "or" itself but on the objects it distinguishes.

    Example One: "Or" with a singular verb, present tense

    In the following example, the singular verb (present tense) is determined by the singular mouse and the singular rat: "A mouse or rat eats the cheese."

    Example Two: "Or" with a singular verb, present progressive tense

    In the following example, the singular verb (present progressive tense) is determined by the singular mouse and the singular rat: "A mouse or rat is eating the cheese."

    Example Three: "Or" with a plural verb (past tense)

    In the following example, the plural verb (past tense) is determined by the plural mice and the plural rats: "The mice or the rats eat the cheese."

    Example Four: "Or" with a plural verb (past progressive)

    In the following example, the plural verb (past progressive) is determined by the plural mice and the plural rats: "The mice or the rats are eating the cheese."

    Special Cases

    If the objects distinguished by "or" do not agree in number (i.e. "The mouse or the rats ...") then some grammarians suggest that the verb should be determined by the object(s) closest to the verb (in this example, the verb would be plural as determined by the word "rats.") Other grammarians insist that such a sentence is logically flawed and needs to be rewritten.

    Source:

    Dictionary.com

Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC

Answerbag | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy