Subject-verb agreement is an important aspect of English grammar, and it is essential to maintain the correct form of the verb according to the subject. However, subject-verb agreement can become a bit tricky when we use conjunctions like “or” and “nor” in a sentence. In this article, we will discuss the rules of subject-verb agreement using “or” and “nor” and provide some worksheets for practice.

Using “Or” in a Sentence

When we use “or” in a sentence, it indicates a choice between two or more options. In this case, the verb agrees with the noun that is closer to it. For example,

– Either the cat or the dog (is/are) missing from the house.

In this sentence, we need to choose between “is” and “are.” Since “dog” is closer to the verb “are,” we need to use “are” in this case.

Some more examples are:

– Neither the teacher nor the students (is/are) attending the lecture.

– My brother or his friends (has/have) stolen my phone.

Using “Nor” in a Sentence

When we use “nor” in a sentence, it indicates a negative choice between two or more options. In this case, the verb agrees with the noun that is closer to it. For example,

– Neither the cat nor the dog (is/are) missing from the house.

In this sentence, we need to choose between “is” and “are.” Since “dog” is closer to the verb “are,” we need to use “are” in this case.

Some more examples are:

– Neither the teacher nor the students (is/are) attending the lecture.

– My sister nor her friends (have/has) attended my party.

Subject-Verb Agreement using “Or” and “Nor” Worksheets

Here are some worksheets for practice on subject-verb agreement using “or” and “nor” in a sentence:

Worksheet 1:

Choose the correct verb for the following sentences:

1. Neither the apples nor the oranges (is/are) available in the market.

2. Either the waiter or the customers (has/have) misplaced the menu.

3. Neither the chair nor the table (go/goes) with the decor of the room.

4. My sister nor her husband (was/were) present for the family dinner.

5. Either the cat or the dogs (needs/need) to be groomed.

Worksheet 2:

Rewrite the following sentences by choosing the correct verb:

1. Neither the movie nor the popcorn (is/are) interesting tonight.

2. Either the coffee or the tea (is/are) good for my health.

3. Neither the players nor the coach (seems/seem) to be in good form.

4. My sister nor her friends (has/have) completed the project on time.

5. Either the plants or the flowers (needs/need) to be watered daily.

Conclusion

Subject-verb agreement using “or” and “nor” in a sentence is an important aspect of English grammar. By following the rules mentioned above and practicing the worksheets provided, one can become proficient in subject-verb agreement. This will help in improving the overall quality of the writing and make it more effective in conveying the intended message.