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Marco Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Neither/nor 2 subjects+plural verb

I tought we should use neither/nor with a singular verb when both of the subjects are singular:

Neither he nor she is happy.

Quote from the OED:

d. With two sing. subjects and pl. verb.
1759 Johnson Idler No. 44 _3 Neither search nor labour are necessary.
1777 Cowper Wks. (1837) XV. 37 Neither the Duke of Bedford nor Lord Sussex have cut yet.

e. neither..or. - special expression? (the text is in blue)

1786 A. M. Bennett Juvenile Indiscr. I. 70 Engaging to spare neither trouble or expence.
1830 W. Taylor Hist. Surv. Germ. Poetry III. 26 These modern antiques neither supply the interest of classical or of German poetry.
1874 G. W. Dasent Tales fr. Fjeld 204 Wasn’t it true that he neither knew anything or could do anything?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

The OED (Oxford English Dictionary) cites examples of English usage from as far back as there are texts to draw from. The examples we're looking at are not current. Take a look at the dates listed: 1759, 1777, 1786, 1830, 1874.

— Casi

  • The OED (Oxford English Dictionary) cites examples of English usage from as far back as there are texts to draw from.
  • The examples we're looking at are not current.
  • Take a look at the dates listed: 1759, 1777, 1786, 1830, 1874.
  • What you taught your students is correct.
  • EX: Neither he nor she is happy.
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5 Answers
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The OED (Oxford English Dictionary) cites examples of English usage from as far back as there are texts to draw from. The examples we're looking at are not current. Take a look at the dates listed: 1759, 1777, 1786, 1830, 1874.

What you taught your students is correct.

EX: Neither he nor she is happy. (Singular Subjects + Singular Verb)
EX: Neither the Smiths nor the Th
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0
What about "Neither he nor I ...... going? Should the verb be "am" or "are"?
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0How about : 02br
02br
00"Neither he nor she drinks" or "Neither he nor she drink"02br
02br
00???01blockquote
01cite10Marco12cite10I tought we should use neither/nor with a singular verb when both of the subjects are singular: 12br
12br
10Neither he nor she is happy. 12br
12br
0
0
0How about : 02br
02br
00"Neither he nor she drinks" or "Neither he nor she drink"02br
02br
00???01blockquote
01cite10Marco12cite10I tought we should use neither/nor with a singular verb when both of the subjects are singular: 12br
12br
10Neither he nor she is happy. 12br
12br
0
0
0 01blockquote
01cite10Guest12cite10What about "Neither he nor I ...... going? Should the verb be "am" or "are"?12blockquote
10Hi Guest02br
02br
00In Helsinki English I wouldn't use 01i00are02i00, but I do know there are usage experts who disagree with me. There willprobably never be agree
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