16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumAgreement with 'either … or'

Standard English Conventions practice question

Either the gardener or her two assistants ____ at the stall on Saturdays.

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

  1. A. areCorrect
  2. B. is
  3. C. was
  4. D. has been

Answer: A. are

With 'either … or', the verb agrees with the nearer subject, 'assistants', which is plural.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. is
'Is' agrees with 'gardener', but the nearer subject is plural.
C. was
Singular past.
D. has been
Singular.

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