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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary
Subject verb agreement with "and/or"
Hi,As per the basic subject-verb rules, 2 singular subjects when connected by 'and' will take a plural verb but when connected by 'or' will take a singular verb. Recently I came across something really different and I had a hard time editing it when deciding upon which verb to go for. The sentence goes something like this: "Store image and/or loyalty influence mall image and/or loyalty." I felt this was a biased use where only and was kept into consideration and it was assumed that there would be a plural verb in the sentence. Since i was assigned to edit it, i found the following solution much appropriate: "Store image and/or loyalty influence/s mall image and/or loyalty."So, here's my question. Is this right? should everytime the subjects be connected like this, will the same rules apply?Hope to get a replyu soon.Regards,Lovely
Top answer
It is an interesting question (and one that I think we have answered before, though the answer escapes me). The first point to note is that most style manuals dislike the term heartily and suggest recasting. Having said that, note that the virgule means 'or', so that 'and/or' can be translated as 'and or or'.
- It is an interesting question (and one that I think we have answered before, though the answer escapes me).
- The first point to note is that most style manuals dislike the term heartily and suggest recasting.
- Having said that, note that the virgule means 'or', so that 'and/or' can be translated as 'and or or'.
- In this case, the verb would agree with the nearest (the second) term of the compound subject.
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1 Answers
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It is an interesting question (and one that I think we have answered before, though the answer escapes me). The first point to note is that most style manuals dislike the term heartily and suggest recasting.
Having said that, note that the virgule means 'or', so that 'and/or' can be translated as 'and or or'. In this case, the verb would agree with the nearest (the second) term of the c
Having said that, note that the virgule means 'or', so that 'and/or' can be translated as 'and or or'. In this case, the verb would agree with the nearest (the second) term of the c
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