Some disjunctive sentences

Question

Are the following sentences grammatical? Thanks.
(1) Either John will read Chapter 3 or Mary will.
(2) Either John will read Chapter 3 or Mary.
(3) John will read Chapter 3 or Mary will.
(4) John will read Chapter 3 or Mary.
(5) Will John read Chapter 3 or Mary?

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Are the following sentences grammatical? Thanks. (1) Either John will read Chapter 3 or Mary will. (2) Either John will ... 3 or Mary will. (4) John will read Chapter 3 or Mary. (5) Will John read Chapter 3 or Mary?[/nq]
The obvious "Either John or Mary will read Chapter 2" is so strong that only when a difference of meaning is intended will something else be used.
(1) and (3) imply that should John not be able to
read Chapter 3 then Mary will substitute for him.

The others all suggest to varying degrees that
John is going to read Mary, and are therefore
wrong.
(IMHO of course)

Usenet · Answer

(Email Removed):
[nq:1]Are the following sentences grammatical? Thanks. (1) Either John will read Chapter 3 or Mary will. (2) Either John will ... 3 or Mary will. (4) John will read Chapter 3 or Mary. (5) Will John read Chapter 3 or Mary?[/nq]
(1) Either John will read Chapter 3 or Mary will.
Perfect.
(2) Either John will read Chapter 3 or Mary.
Grammatically wrong. It sounds a little as if 'Mary' is an object: the title of a book perhaps. If it is indeed the title of a book then the sentence should be:
John will either read Chapter 3 or Mary.
(3) John will read Chapter 3 or Mary will.
Grammatically correct. The absence of the word 'either' makes this less formal than (1). It sounds a little casual and Mary sounds like an afterthought. If that's what you want then splitting it into two sentences might be better: John will read Chapter 3. Or Mary will.

(4) John will read Chapter 3 or Mary.
Grammatically correct but it isn't saying what you want it to say! 'Mary' is clearly an object. It might be the title of a book, or it might be the title of Chapter 3. (In either case some punctuation would help.)

(5) Will John read Chapter 3 or Mary?
Grammatically correct but, as with (4), it isn't saying what you want it to say. My comments on (4) apply equally to (5). You are trying to say this: Will John read Chapter 3 or will Mary?
Peter (UK)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Are the following sentences grammatical? Thanks.[/nq]
[nq:1]The obvious "Either John or Mary will read Chapter 2" is so strong that only when a difference of meaning is intended will something else be used.[/nq]
Not in conversation. Word order is often a lot different then.
[nq:2](1) Either John will read Chapter 3 or Mary will.[/nq]
Fine.
[nq:2](2) Either John will read Chapter 3 or Mary.[/nq]
Often used, I'm sure. The either that precedes John clearly goes with the or that precedes Mary, so no one should misunderstand. Some may pretend they do and tease the speaker.
[nq:2](3) John will read Chapter 3 or Mary will.[/nq]
Fine.
[nq:2](4) John will read Chapter 3 or Mary.[/nq]
Not as good as 2, but still used in conversation, where it's likely everyone will know who John is and who Mary is and what chapter 3 is and no one will actually think John is going to read Mary

Maybe less used as people get older and have been teased by contemporaries for its possible second meaning. Not so much in "John will read Mary" but other similar situations.
[nq:2](5) Will John read Chapter 3 or Mary?[/nq]
Just like 4.
[nq:1](1) and (3) imply that should John not be able to read Chapter 3 then Mary will substitute for him. The others all suggest to varying degrees that John is going to read Mary, and are therefore wrong. (IMHO of course)[/nq]
Posters should say where they live, and for which area they are asking questions. I was born and then lived in Western Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis 7 years
Chicago 6 years
Brooklyn, NY 12 years
Baltimore 26 years

Some disjunctive sentences

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