3.

Singular subjects connected by or… nor, either… or,

neither…nor, notonly… but also, require singular verbs
Ex. Jamesor Johannhas reportedthe accident to the
manager.
Either Jayneor Miratopsthe examination for the
scholarship.
Not only Raffybut also his brotherworksin their fathers
construction firm.
Neither rainnor snowslowsthe letter carrier.
4. Subjects connected by oror nor, either… or,
neither…nor, not only… but also, not…butthat differ in
person or in number will have the verb agreeing with the
nearer subject.
Ex. Neither Marissanor her parentswere notifiedof the loss.
Either the girls or their teacherhas borrowedthe tape
recorder.
Not starbut planetsare visible on a night like this.
5. Singular subjects connected by correlative
conjunction both ... and will require a plural verb.
Ex. Both your adviserand your subject teacherbelievethat
youre
the best candidate for class president.
6. Intervening words, phrases or clauses do not in any
way affect the agreement between the subject and the
verb.
Kinds of intervening words, phrases or clauses
a. Adverb
Ex. Motheralways bakesa chocolate cake for our birthday.
 Channel 5sometimes showsanime early in the afternoon.
Fatheroftentimes bringsus novelties from his trips
abroad.
b. Appositive - a word or phrase directly following the
noun it modifies.
Ex. 1 The focal pointof the garden, (the giant cabbage
roses), has attracteda lot of visitors.
The appositive rosesis plural. The plural appositive does not
affect the relationship between point, singular subject and has
attracted, singular verb.
Ex.2. Mothers favorite pre-occupation, (collecting coins),
usually irritatesfather collecting coinsis the appositive to pre-
occupation
c. Prepositional Phrase (the most common
intervening phrase)
Ex. The work(of the masons) requiresa thorough knowledge of
structural rocks.
The old love letters(from her long-lost love) are keptinside an
antique jewelry box.
The leader(of the rebels) refusesto accept the terms of the
truce.
d. Present participial phrase
Ex. The players, (following the coachs order), practiceuntil 7
oclock on Fridays.
The old man(selling the colorful balloons) usually staysin
front of the elementary school.
e. Infinitive phrase
Ex. The generals order, (to penetrate the enemieslines)
wasimmediately carriedout.
Melanies ambition, (to become a world class ballet dancer),
isfully supportedby her mother.
f. Past participial phrase
Ex. The antique statue(of the Blessed Virgin)*, (taken by the
thieves), wasmysteriously returnedto its niche a week later.
(*prepositional phrase)
The students, (led by their principal) are joiningthe
campaign for the greening of the countryside.
g. Adjective clause
Ex. The girls(that Sally Villaluz is coaching for an Olympic
medal), swimfifty laps everyday.
Melissa, (whom the basketball players have chosen as their
muse), excelsin many curricular activities