Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence:
Neither the manager nor the employees was available.
- AOption (a)
was not available
- BOption (b)
were also available
- COption (c)
were available
- DOption (d)
was also not available
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Correct answer
were available
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is '3' i.e. were available .
Key Points
- The subject of the sentence is a compound subject joined by "Neither...nor".
- When subjects are joined by "Neither...nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
- In this case, "employees" is plural, so the verb should be "were available".
Correct sentence: Neither the manager nor the employees were available.
Additional Information
- Subject-Verb Agreement:
- When two subjects are joined by "Neither...nor" or "Either...or," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
- For example: "Neither John nor his friends were available."
- Similarly: "Either the manager or the employees were present."
- Plural Subjects:
- When the closest subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
- In this case, "employees" is plural, so "were" is correct.