Lesson 2 of 12 | English Comprehension / Subject and verb agreement / कर्ता और क्रिया का मेल
Subjects joined by and, or, or nor
Learning outcome
Choose the verb when two subjects are joined by and, or, or nor.
Concepts and reasons
And usually makes a plural subject. "The clerk and the officer are present" uses are, because there are two people.
Or and nor do not add the subjects. The verb agrees with the subject nearer to it. "Neither the teachers nor the principal is here" uses is, because principal is nearer and singular. "Neither the principal nor the teachers are here" uses are, because teachers is nearer and plural.
Worked examples
Example 1. Riya and her sister have arrived. And joins two subjects. The verb is have.
Example 2. Either the lamps or the switch is faulty. Switch is nearer to the verb and is singular, so the verb is is.
Common traps
Do not let the first subject decide an or or nor sentence. Move to the subject that stands next to the verb.
Practice questions
- Choose is or are: Neither the captain nor the players _ late.
- Choose has or have: The pen and the notebook _ been found.
Answers and explanations
- Are. Players is the nearer subject, and it is plural.
- Have. And joins two separate things, so the subject is plural.
Analogy
Neither the teachers nor the principal is here.
The nearer subject is principal. Principal is singular, so the verb is is.
Quick reference
- And, two separate subjects: plural verb.
- Or or nor: agree with the nearer subject.
- Read the subject that sits immediately before the verb.