One or two

Question

One or two apples are rotten.One or two days have passed since ....Is this the correct way to treat a sentence that begins with "One or two". Thanks

Doll · Accepted Answer

I don't know whether the rule I am going to present to you is valid for all kind of sitations but with the sentences with "or" I look at the word after "or". If it is plural I use plural and vice verca.

Abil · Answer

Thanks Doll. I also do the same.

Goodman · Answer

"Or" is always used in singular context. Neither John or Paul is going to conference in Shanghai
"Both" is always used in plural. - both John and Paul are going to be late.

Abil · Answer

Mr. Goodman, that is understood. But the original sentences are different. And I think you have committed a careless mistake. I should be "Neither / nor", not 'neither / or".

Going by the rule you have suggested, should I say: "One or two apple is rotten."?

BarbaraPA · Answer

Doll was correct: With "or" you match the verb to the part of the subject that is closest to the verb.

Abil · Answer

Thanks Mr. Grammar Geek

Goodman · Answer

Abil,
Yes, you are correct in "formal" usage.
This may help clear any doubts:

http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/english/2005/02/neither_or_eith.html

Laura asks:
How about using "neither" versus "either"? I transcribe for doctors, and this is one rule I just can't get straight in my head.
I need to figure out a way to remember which to use when, because some of the docs use them indiscriminately.

Great question!

"Either" and "neither" are both singular adjectives meaning "one or the other of two." "Neither" of course means "not the first
one and not the second one."In formal writing, we usually use a singular verb because "either" and "neither" signal that one of the following
nouns is the subject, but not both:

Either Bill or Bob is going to the conference. (One or the other is going, but not both.)
Neither Joan nor Jane likes sushi. (= Joan doesn't like sushi. Jane doesn't like sushi either!)

Notice that we say "either...or" and "neither...nor." In informal English, most people would say "Neither Joan OR Jane LIKE sushi." That's
all right in conversation, but in formal documents you should prefer the formal usage.

Of course we have a confusing exception to this rule. You can use a plural verb if you have a plural noun next to the verb:
Either Joan or the Kennedys are going to the conference.

But put the singular noun closer to the verb, and it goes back to singular!
Either the Kennedys or Joan is going to the conference.

And it's the same with "neither":
Neither Jane nor her brothers like sushi.
Neither her brothers nor Jane likes sushi.

Of course the verb will be plural if both nouns are plural:
Either the Smiths or the Robinsons are meeting us at the station.
Neither the Canadians nor the Americans are interested in this problem.

Abil · Answer

Mr. Goodman, I appreciate your superb enunciation on the subject. It has helped to me grasp the rule completely. Thanks a lot.

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