Compound Subjects Joined by 'or', 'nor', 'either...or', 'neither...nor'
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Introduction to Compound Subjects
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Hello everyone! Today, weβre discussing compound subjects. Who can tell me what a compound subject is?
Is it when two subjects are joined together?
Exactly! A compound subject consists of two or more subjects that are connected by a conjunction. Let's take 'John and Mary are going to the store' as an example. Can anyone tell me what conjunction we see there?
It's 'and'!
Correct! Now, weβll focus on how to handle verb agreement with compound subjects connected by 'or' and 'nor'. Weβll see how the chosen subject affects the verb. Who can give me an example of a sentence with 'or'?
How about 'Either the dog or the cat plays outside'?
Great job! Here, 'plays' agrees with 'cat' because it's the closest subject. Let's remember: closer subjects dictate the verb form.
Using 'Either...Or' and 'Neither...Nor'
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Now, letβs talk about 'either...or' and 'neither...nor'. What is the function of these structures in a sentence?
They present choices or alternatives, right?
Yes, thatβs correct! When using 'neither...nor', the verb will agree with the subject nearest to it. Can anyone make a sentence using 'neither...nor'?
Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.
Well done! Here, we see that the verb 'are' agrees with 'students'. Remembering this rule will help you write clearer sentences.
Verbs with Different Subjects
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Let's discuss what happens when you have three or more subjects. How do we ensure the verb agrees?
Do we still go with the nearest subject?
Exactly! Let's look at a tricky example: 'Neither the dog, the cat, nor the rabbit is in the yard.' Which subject determines the verb?
The rabbit, because it's the closest!
Correct! This keeps our sentence clear and grammatically sound. Remember, in compound subjects, proximity matters for verb agreement.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, students learn the importance of subject-verb agreement when dealing with compound subjects linked by 'or', 'nor', 'either...or', and 'neither...nor'. This crucial rule dictates that the verb must agree with the subject that is closest to it, maintaining grammatical accuracy in sentences.
Detailed
Understanding Compound Subjects and Verb Agreement
In English grammar, subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule that requires the verb to correspond in number (singular or plural) with its subject. When it comes to compound subjects joined by 'or', 'nor', 'either...or', and 'neither...nor', a special consideration comes into play. The verb must agree with the subject that is closest to it.
Key Concepts:
- Compound Subject: Two or more subjects joined by a conjunction.
- 'Or' and 'Nor': These conjunctions indicate alternatives or negations, respectively. They usually take the number of the nearest subject.
- Example: Neither the students nor the teacher was present. ('Teacher' is singular)
- Example: Either the cat or the dogs are causing trouble. ('Dogs' is plural)
Importance in Writing:
This rule is essential for achieving clarity and grammatical correctness in sentences. Misusing subject-verb agreement can lead to confusion and poor sentence structure.
By mastering these rules, students can enhance their writing and communication skills, ensuring that their meanings are conveyed accurately.
Audio Book
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Understanding Compound Subjects with 'or' and 'nor'
Chapter 1 of 2
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Chapter Content
When compound subjects are connected by 'or' or 'nor', the verb must agree with the subject closest to it.
Examples:
- Neither the boys nor the girl is responsible. (The verb 'is' agrees with 'girl' - singular)
- Neither the girl nor the boys are responsible. (The verb 'are' agrees with 'boys' - plural)
Detailed Explanation
In sentences where subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor', understanding which subject is closest to the verb helps determine the correct verb form. For instance, when you say 'Neither the boys nor the girl is responsible', you're indicating that the 'girl' is a singular subject, so you use 'is'. However, if you say 'Neither the girl nor the boys are responsible', the closer subject 'boys' is plural, so you use 'are'. This relationship helps clarify singular versus plural subject verb agreement.
Examples & Analogies
Think of it like a team contest where you have two different groups, like a basketball team and a soccer team. If you're asking who won the game and you say 'Neither the basketball team nor the soccer teams are ready', you're focusing on the soccer teams, which is plural, hence you use 'are'. But if you say 'Neither the soccer team nor the basketball player is ready', now the focus is singular on one player so you say 'is'.
Application of 'either...or' and 'neither...nor'
Chapter 2 of 2
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Chapter Content
'Either...or' and 'neither...nor' follow similar rules to 'or' and 'nor' in terms of subject-verb agreement.
Examples:
- Either the cat or the dogs are making noise. (The verb 'are' agrees with 'dogs' - plural)
- Either the dogs or the cat is responsible for the mess. (The verb 'is' agrees with 'cat' - singular)
Detailed Explanation
When using 'either...or' and 'neither...nor', the verb must align with the part of the compound subject that is nearest to it. In the first example, 'the dogs' is a plural subject, so the verb 'are' is used. In the second example, 'the cat' is singular, thus 'is' is appropriate. This is a common grammatical structure that reinforces clarity in sentences, ensuring that the reader knows which subject is being referenced.
Examples & Analogies
Consider this scenario: you're at a bakery deciding whether to buy 'either a cake or cupcakes for a party'. If there are more cupcakes available, you might say, 'Either the cake or the cupcakes are my choice.' Here, since cupcakes (plural) are right next to the verb, it pulls the verb towards being plural. But if you say, 'Either the cake or the muffins is fresh today,' then 'is' resonates with 'the muffins' which is singular.
Key Concepts
-
Compound Subject: Two or more subjects joined by a conjunction.
-
'Or' and 'Nor': These conjunctions indicate alternatives or negations, respectively. They usually take the number of the nearest subject.
-
Example: Neither the students nor the teacher was present. ('Teacher' is singular)
-
Example: Either the cat or the dogs are causing trouble. ('Dogs' is plural)
-
Importance in Writing:
-
This rule is essential for achieving clarity and grammatical correctness in sentences. Misusing subject-verb agreement can lead to confusion and poor sentence structure.
-
By mastering these rules, students can enhance their writing and communication skills, ensuring that their meanings are conveyed accurately.
Examples & Applications
Neither the boys nor the girl is responsible. (The verb 'is' agrees with 'girl' - singular)
Neither the girl nor the boys are responsible. (The verb 'are' agrees with 'boys' - plural)
Detailed Explanation: In sentences where subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor', understanding which subject is closest to the verb helps determine the correct verb form. For instance, when you say 'Neither the boys nor the girl is responsible', you're indicating that the 'girl' is a singular subject, so you use 'is'. However, if you say 'Neither the girl nor the boys are responsible', the closer subject 'boys' is plural, so you use 'are'. This relationship helps clarify singular versus plural subject verb agreement.
Real-Life Example or Analogy: Think of it like a team contest where you have two different groups, like a basketball team and a soccer team. If you're asking who won the game and you say 'Neither the basketball team nor the soccer teams are ready', you're focusing on the soccer teams, which is plural, hence you use 'are'. But if you say 'Neither the soccer team nor the basketball player is ready', now the focus is singular on one player so you say 'is'.
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Chunk Title: Application of 'either...or' and 'neither...nor'
Chunk Text: 'Either...or' and 'neither...nor' follow similar rules to 'or' and 'nor' in terms of subject-verb agreement.
Examples:
Either the cat or the dogs are making noise. (The verb 'are' agrees with 'dogs' - plural)
Either the dogs or the cat is responsible for the mess. (The verb 'is' agrees with 'cat' - singular)
Detailed Explanation: When using 'either...or' and 'neither...nor', the verb must align with the part of the compound subject that is nearest to it. In the first example, 'the dogs' is a plural subject, so the verb 'are' is used. In the second example, 'the cat' is singular, thus 'is' is appropriate. This is a common grammatical structure that reinforces clarity in sentences, ensuring that the reader knows which subject is being referenced.
Real-Life Example or Analogy: Consider this scenario: you're at a bakery deciding whether to buy 'either a cake or cupcakes for a party'. If there are more cupcakes available, you might say, 'Either the cake or the cupcakes are my choice.' Here, since cupcakes (plural) are right next to the verb, it pulls the verb towards being plural. But if you say, 'Either the cake or the muffins is fresh today,' then 'is' resonates with 'the muffins' which is singular.
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Memory Aids
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Rhymes
When nouns join together with either, or nor, the nearest one matters for what verb's score.
Stories
In a land where even dogs loved puzzles, there lived a boy who played with either his dog or his cats. The animals would chase each other, and the boy would say, 'Either my dog or my cats are playing!' This taught him to focus on the closest, which was his playful dog.
Memory Tools
N-N-N: Nearest Subject Next - Always check which subject is closest to find the correct verb.
Acronyms
CASS - Compound subjects and subject-verb agreement using 'or' and 'nor'.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Compound Subject
A subject consisting of two or more nouns that are joined by a conjunction.
- SubjectVerb Agreement
The grammatical rule that the verb must agree in number with its subject.
- 'or'
A conjunction used to indicate alternatives or choices.
- 'nor'
A conjunction used to indicate negation of alternatives.
- 'either...or'
A phrase that presents a choice between two alternatives.
- 'neither...nor'
A phrase used to indicate that neither of two alternatives is true.
Reference links
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