Verbs are the most important grammatical component of a sentence. They help convey the action taking place in a sentence and in what form it’s happening. However, many writers often struggle with verb agreement when dealing with words like “either.”
Either is a word that is commonly used to denote a choice between two things. When using either, you must be careful with the verb agreement, as it can be a little tricky. In this article, we`ll delve into the rules of verb agreement for either.
Rule 1: Either is Singular
When we use either, we refer to only one thing or the other. For example, “Either John or James will attend the meeting.” Since either refers to only one person, it is singular. Therefore, we need to use the singular form of the verb. In this case, it’s “will attend,” which is a singular form of the verb.
Rule 2: The Verb Agrees with the Noun Closer to It
When using either, it`s essential to consider the noun closest to the verb. For example, “Either the boys or the girl is responsible for the mess.” The noun “girl” is closer to the verb, so it dictates the verb agreement. Therefore, we use the singular form of the verb, which is “is.”
Rule 3: Use Plural when Both Nouns are Plural
When using either with two plural nouns, you should use a plural verb. For example, “Either the cats or the dogs are causing the trouble.” Since both “cats” and “dogs” are plural, the verb “are” is also plural.
Rule 4: Use “Nor” with “Either” and “Neither”
When using “either,” it`s essential to pair it with “nor” instead of “or” if the sentence is negative. For example, “Neither John nor James wanted to attend the meeting.” When dealing with a negative sentence, we use “nor” instead of “or.”
In conclusion, the verb agreement for “either” is straightforward if you remember these rules. Always remember that either is singular and the verb should agree with the noun closest to it. Use the plural verb when both nouns are plural, and use “nor” instead of “or” in negative sentences. By keeping these in mind, you`ll be able to write clear and grammatically correct sentences with “either.”