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Kooyeen Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
OR
Hi,
this is diffucult.
My opinion is in blue, please don't give a prescriptive answer. I ain't looking for no grammar rulez, just what sounds good or you are likely to hear.
If you or your partner don't/doesn't like scorpions, then stay away from our restaurant! We have good fried scorpions! Both, depending on whether you are still thinking of "partner" or "you".
If Matt or you don't/doesn't like scorpions, then stay away that restaurant! They serve fried scorpions! Both, depending on whether you are still thinking of "partner" or "you".
I'm afraid either you or Sarah is/are going to be fired. I'd only say "is", I don't know why.
I'm afraid either Sarah or you is/are going to be fired. I'd only say "is", I don't know why.
Thanks
this is diffucult.
My opinion is in blue, please don't give a prescriptive answer. I ain't looking for no grammar rulez, just what sounds good or you are likely to hear.
If you or your partner don't/doesn't like scorpions, then stay away from our restaurant! We have good fried scorpions! Both, depending on whether you are still thinking of "partner" or "you".
If Matt or you don't/doesn't like scorpions, then stay away that restaurant! They serve fried scorpions! Both, depending on whether you are still thinking of "partner" or "you".
I'm afraid either you or Sarah is/are going to be fired. I'd only say "is", I don't know why.
I'm afraid either Sarah or you is/are going to be fired. I'd only say "is", I don't know why.
Thanks
Top answer
No rulez! I just instinctively picked something in each case without thinking. No prescriptions.
- No rulez!
- I just instinctively picked something in each case without thinking.
- No prescriptions.
- Result: singulars in every case.
- doesn't, doesn't, is, is.
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4 Answers
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No rulez! I just instinctively picked something in each case without thinking.
No prescriptions.
Result: singulars in every case. doesn't, doesn't, is, is.
I don't know why either. (Without prescription, maybe there never is a "knowing why"!)
CJ
No prescriptions.
Result: singulars in every case. doesn't, doesn't, is, is.
I don't know why either. (Without prescription, maybe there never is a "knowing why"!)
CJ
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You know the prescriptive rule: Make it agree with the subject that is closest.
In practice, something like "You or your partner" will often agree with the idea of "you all" - so "you or your partner don't like" sounds pretty normal to the ear.
With the second grouping, wouldn't you really say "Sarah's going..."? With the contraction, the "Sariz" sound will come up.
In practice, something like "You or your partner" will often agree with the idea of "you all" - so "you or your partner don't like" sounds pretty normal to the ear.
With the second grouping, wouldn't you really say "Sarah's going..."? With the contraction, the "Sariz" sound will come up.
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Thank you so much!
I see it's singular ("is") in the second pair, and either singular or plural in the first pair. I don't really know which I might be more likely to use, anyway.
So it seems it's the structure "either... or..." that always go well with the singular, while "or" is a little more flexible. But I'm not sure yet...
I see it's singular ("is") in the second pair, and either singular or plural in the first pair. I don't really know which I might be more likely to use, anyway.
So it seems it's the structure "either... or..." that always go well with the singular, while "or" is a little more flexible. But I'm not sure yet...
Grammar GeekIn practice, something l
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