Question

Which rule best explains why the verb in the following sentence is correct?

The owner or the business managers need to prepare the annual budget.


A plural indefinite pronoun comes before the compound subject, so a plural verb is used.
This sentence has a mixed compound subject connected by or, so the verb agrees with the first singular subject.
Both parts of the compound subject are plural, so a plural verb is used.
This sentence has a mixed compound subject connected by or, so the verb agrees with the plural subject that is closer.

Answer 1

This sentence has a mixed compound subject connected by or, so the verb agrees with the plural subject that is closer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The rule that best explains why the verb in the given sentence is correct, is: This sentence has a mixed compound subject connected by or, so the verb agrees with the plural subject that is closer. This rule is also applied when using neither/nor. The form of the verb should agree and depend on the subject close to it.