16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardAgreement with a compound subject joined by 'or'

Standard English Conventions practice question

Either the two assistants or the manager ____ the keys at closing time.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. holdsCorrect
  2. B. hold
  3. C. holding
  4. D. have held

Answer: A. holds

With 'or', the verb agrees with the nearer subject, 'manager'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. hold
Agrees with 'assistants', the farther subject.
C. holding
Not a finite verb.
D. have held
Plural auxiliary.

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