16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardVerb agreeing with the nearer subject after nor

Standard English Conventions practice question

Neither the committee's report nor the minister's replies ____ the question that the journalists kept asking.

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

  1. A. answerCorrect
  2. B. answers
  3. C. has answered
  4. D. is answering

Answer: A. answer

With neither nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject, replies, which is plural.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. answers
Singular; agrees with report, the farther subject.
C. has answered
Singular.
D. is answering
Singular.

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