Either ... Or ...

[ctivnan]

Let's see... which is correct?

a) Either Ann or her parents is used to sailing.

b) Either Ann or her parents are used to sailing.

c) Either Ann or her parents use to go sailing.

:group: :group: :group:

[cmo]

Let's see... which is correct?

a) Either Ann or her parents is used to sailing.

b) Either Ann or her parents are used to sailing.

c) Either Ann or her parents use to go sailing.

:group: :group: :group:



I just wonder why the title of this post is "Either a or b". What about "c"? My choice would be "C".

:hihihi:

[ctivnan]

I just wonder why the title of this post is "Either a or b". What about "c"? My choice would be "C".

:hihihi:

:DANCER: I am referring to the "Either...or" pattern. :Cat Smiley 6117:

[cmo]

:DANCER: I am referring to the "Either...or" pattern. :Cat Smiley 6117:

Ah, for me it's clearer "Either .. .or ...".

:flame:

[kai28]

I chose B. The linking verb should follow the form of the noun closest to it.

[gAn]

a) is the correct sentence

The subject is "Either" so the predicate should be "is."

c) is grammatically wrong .... should be "used to go sailing"

[gAn]

I chose B. The linking verb should follow the form of the noun closest to it.
kai28, I think you're correct...b

[rhonzky21]

I go for b...

[racz_jay25]

Subject-Verb agreement..

I'll go for b too.

[ctivnan]

I chose B. The linking verb should follow the form of the noun closest to it.

I go for b...

Subject-Verb agreement..

I'll go for b too.

Well done! :happy0141: :victory: :happy0141:

The answer is:

b) Either Ann or her parents are used to sailing.

In the rules of subject-verb agreement, subjects joined together by EITHER - OR or NEITHER - NOR should agree with the part of the subject nearer the verb.

The closest noun (subject) to the verb is "her parents"; it's plural and so the verb we should use - ARE.

If we say:

Either her parents or Ann IS used to go sailing.
(Here Ann is the closest noun, so singular)

Now why is letter C incorrect? Would you like to share your thoughts? :coffeedrink:

[gAn]

c) Either Ann or her parents use to go sailing.

The verb is grammatically wrong. The correct sentence is:

Either Ann or her parents used to go sailing.

[rhonzky21]

Just a guess... used to go...

[kai28]

Well done! :happy0141: :victory: :happy0141:

The answer is:

b) Either Ann or her parents are used to sailing.

In the rules of subject-verb agreement, subjects joined together by EITHER - OR or NEITHER - NOR should agree with the part of the subject nearer the verb.

The closest noun (subject) to the verb is "her parents"; it's plural and so the verb we should use - ARE.

If we say:

Either her parents or Ann IS used to go sailing.
(Here Ann is the closest noun, so singular)

Now why is letter C incorrect? Would you like to share your thoughts? :coffeedrink:




hmm... because there's no verb(helping verb) in the sentence... :D

[lilyputian67]

I chose "C" because i was on the idea that the sentence implies that NO ONE of the two subjects have done the action thus making it a negative sentence. and as far as i know when expressing negative ideas..we use NEITHER-NOR instead of either-or. But i am not so sure about it...

[ctivnan]

I chose "C" because i was on the idea that the sentence implies that NO ONE of the two subjects have done the action thus making it a negative sentence. and as far as i know when expressing negative ideas..we use NEITHER-NOR instead of either-or. But i am not so sure about it...

We do use, NEITHER...NOR for negative ideas.

In sentence B: Both Ann and her parents are used to sailing. This does not imply a negative meaning.

In sentence C: Either Ann or her parents use to go sailing. The verb here is only "use," which is not appropriate for this type of sentence.

The expression should have "be (am, is, are) + used to" pattern to mean that this activity is something that they are accustomed to doing (can be a hobby).

e.g. Either Ann or her parents are used to sailing.

OR

The expression "used to," meaning "past habit."

e.g.
Either Ann or her parents used to go sailing.
(Past habit)

Neither Ann nor her parents used to go sailing.
(Their past habit has nothing to do with sailing.)

Hope these help! :music-smiley-7524:

[skykeeper]

b is the right answer because the closest subject is plural...

[q_sharon]

Well done! :happy0141: :victory: :happy0141:

The answer is:

b) Either Ann or her parents are used to sailing.

In the rules of subject-verb agreement, subjects joined together by EITHER - OR or NEITHER - NOR should agree with the part of the subject nearer the verb.

The closest noun (subject) to the verb is "her parents"; it's plural and so the verb we should use - ARE.

If we say:

Either her parents or Ann IS used to go sailing.
(Here Ann is the closest noun, so singular)

Now why is letter C incorrect? Would you like to share your thoughts? :coffeedrink:




[ use to is definitely incorrect because it should be used to which expresses past habit.

example:

I used to walk to school when I was in high school. (it means I almost always did that when I was in high school)

just an additional info, msc.:jumpingangel:

[marilouaggabao]

I think, when you used either, you must use only singular verb.

[ctivnan]

I think, when you used either, you must use only singular verb.

It depends on the noun nearest the verb. :cute:

[ronzam2002]

My answer is B. Either Ann or her parents are used to sailing.

Hope this correct..

[euqinimod]

I chose B. The linking verb should follow the form of the noun closest to it.

i agree with Kai.. :drummer: