Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumVerb agreeing with the nearer subject after nor
Standard English Conventions practice question
Neither the teacher nor the pupils ____ ready when the bell rang.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. wereCorrect
- B. was
- C. is
- D. being
Answer: A. were
With "neither … nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject, "pupils".
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. was
- Agrees with "teacher", the farther subject.
- C. is
- Singular and present.
- D. being
- No finite verb.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
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