If you have two singular subjects joined by an either
. . . or or neither . . . nor expression,
use a singular verb. This is also true for two singular
subjects joined by or.
• Neither Henrietta nor Guy is skilled
at dodgeball.
• Luke or Ian was responsible for the
outrageous chicken prank.
If you have one singular subject and one plural subject
joined by
either . . . or or neither . . . nor,
match the verb to the subject closest to it.
• Either the ghosts or the headless horseman
is sure to terrify the kids.
• Either the headless horseman or the
ghosts are sure to terrify the kids.
Don’t be tricked by phrases like as well as, along
with, in addition to, and so on. Their
presence does not mean you should match a singular subject with
a plural verb.
• Sudha, along with the rest of the ballet
class, hates pink tutus.
