When it comes to writing, proper grammar is essential to conveying your message effectively and professionally. One grammar rule that often trips people up is verb agreement with « neither nor » constructions. In this article, we`ll explore what « neither nor » constructions are, and how to ensure proper verb agreement for them.

« Neither nor » constructions are essentially a pairing of two negative nouns or pronouns. They are used to indicate that neither of the options being presented are valid. For example, « Neither John nor Jane is attending the party. » In this case, we are saying that both John and Jane will not be attending the party.

When it comes to verb agreement, the rule is simple: the verb should agree with the noun or pronoun closest to it. Let`s break down the example above to see how this works. We have two options: John and Jane. The verb « is » agrees with the closest option, which is Jane. Therefore, the sentence is correct.

However, it`s not uncommon for people to get tripped up with this rule. For example, they might write « Neither the car nor the tires were in good condition. » In this case, the verb « were » is incorrect, because it does not agree with the noun closest to it (car). The correct sentence would be « Neither the tires nor the car was in good condition. » The verb « was » agrees with the noun closest to it (car).

It`s important to note that « neither nor » constructions can also be used in the plural sense. For example, « Neither the boys nor the girls are interested in playing sports. » In this case, the verb « are » is correct, because it agrees with the closest option (girls).

In conclusion, proper verb agreement is crucial to conveying a clear and professional message. When using « neither nor » constructions, make sure to choose the verb that agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it. With these tips in mind, you`ll be able to write confidently and accurately.