Do you use a plural verb with or?

The Plural Power of “Or”: Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement with Disjunctive Conjunctions

Subject-verb agreement, the cornerstone of grammatical correctness, can sometimes feel like navigating a minefield, especially when dealing with conjunctions like “or,” “nor,” and their correlative pairs “either…or” and “neither…nor.” While simple sentences present little challenge, the introduction of multiple subjects linked by these disjunctive conjunctions can lead to confusion. The question often arises: do we use a singular or plural verb?

The answer, thankfully, is surprisingly straightforward: when connecting multiple plural subjects with “or,” “nor,” “either…or,” or “neither…nor,” use a plural verb. This rule prioritizes agreement with the number of subjects, not the individual proximity of the subject closest to the verb.

Let’s illustrate with examples:

• Incorrect: Neither the cats nor the dogs is happy with the new food.
• Correct: Neither the cats nor the dogs are happy with the new food.

In this example, both “cats” and “dogs” are plural. Despite “dogs” being closer to the verb, the overall subject consists of two plural nouns. Therefore, the plural verb “are” is required for proper agreement.

Consider another example:

• Incorrect: Either the students or the teacher is responsible for cleaning the classroom.
• Correct: Either the students or the teacher are responsible for cleaning the classroom.

Again, while “teacher” is singular, the presence of the plural “students” necessitates the plural verb “are.” The entire subject phrase, encompassing both “students” and “teacher,” determines the verb’s plurality.

This rule holds true even with longer lists of plural subjects:

• The apples, oranges, and bananas are all ripe and ready to eat. (Connected implicitly, conveying a singular idea of ripeness)

Note the subtle difference when the subjects collectively form a single, unified idea:

• The team of doctors and nurses is arriving shortly. (Here, “team” acts as the singular subject)

This highlights an important distinction. The plural verb rule applies when the subjects remain distinct and individually contribute to the overall meaning of the sentence, rather than forming a single cohesive unit.

In summary, when faced with multiple plural subjects joined by “or,” “nor,” “either…or,” or “neither…nor,” confidently select the plural verb. This consistent application ensures grammatically sound and clear writing. The rule focuses on the collective plurality of the subjects, resulting in accurate subject-verb agreement and avoiding common grammatical errors.