Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.Neither the coach nor t...
When using 'neither/nor,' the verb agrees with the noun closest to it; in this case, 'players' is plural, so 'were' is correct.
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Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.Neither the coach nor t...
Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
In English grammar, subject-verb agreement is crucial for constructing correct sentences. In the sentence provided, "Neither the coach nor the players ___________ happy with the results," the choice of the verb depends on the subject nearest to it.
Identifying the Subjects
- The phrase "Neither...nor" indicates that we are dealing with two subjects: "the coach" and "the players."
- In this structure, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Here, "the players" is plural.
Choosing the Correct Verb
- Since "the players" is plural, the correct form of the verb should also be plural.
- Thus, the correct option is "were" (option B) instead of "was," "has," or "is."
Why Other Options are Incorrect
- Option A (was): This is singular and does not agree with the plural subject "the players."
- Option C (has): This is used for singular subjects and does not fit the sentence structure.
- Option D (is): Similar to "was," this is also singular and does not match the plural subject.
Final Sentence
The correct sentence reads: "Neither the coach nor the players were happy with the results." This clear agreement between the subject and verb is essential for grammatical accuracy in English.