374,990 views
21 votes
21 votes
Which sentence with a compound

subject joined by "nor" has
correct subject/verb agreement?
A. Neither the computers nor the cellphones
works.
B. Neither the televisions nor the radios work.
C. Neither the tablets nor the watch work.
D. Neither the car nor the trucks works.

User Mehwish
by
3.3k points

2 Answers

16 votes
16 votes

Answer: B. Neither the televisions nor the radios work.

Explanation: The subject closest to the verb is plural.

User Capecrawler
by
2.4k points
17 votes
17 votes

Answer:

The sentence that has a correct subject/verb agreement is:

B. Neither the televisions nor the radios work.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a compound subject is joined by "nor", we must pay attention to the element that is closer to the verb. If that element is singular, then the verb should be singular. If the element is plural, the verb must also be plural.

Having that in mind, we can see why letters A, C, and D are incorrect. In letter A, the element that is closer to the verb is "cellphones", plural, but the verb is "works", singular. In letter C, the element closer to the verb is "watch", singular, but the verb "work" is plural. Finally, in letter D, the element closer to the verb is "trucks", plural, but the verb "works" is singular.

It is letter B that has a correct subject/verb agreement. The element that is closer to the verb is "radios", plural, and the verb "work" is also plural.

User Kewal Shah
by
2.6k points