Does or require plural or singular?

Decoding “Or”: Singular or Plural Verb Agreement?

The seemingly simple conjunction “or” can sometimes trip us up when it comes to subject-verb agreement. Unlike its combining cousin “and,” which necessitates a plural verb, “or” presents a choice, a forking path where only one option can be taken. This fundamental difference dictates a unique approach to verb conjugation.

Think of “or” as presenting mutually exclusive options. It implies that only one of the connected nouns is applicable in a given situation. Therefore, rather than aggregating the nouns into a plural subject as “and” does, “or” maintains their individuality. This individuality, in turn, influences the verb form.

The rule governing “or” is proximity: the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it. This principle prioritizes clarity and precision, ensuring that the verb accurately reflects the singular nature of the choice presented.

For example:

• Singular nouns connected by “or”: The cat or the dog eats the leftover steak. (Only one animal is eating.)
• Plural nouns connected by “or”: The cats or the dogs eat the leftover steak. (Still, only one group is eating.)
• Mixed singular and plural nouns connected by “or”: The cat or the dogs eat the leftover steak. (The verb agrees with the plural noun “dogs” because it’s closest.)

This proximity rule also applies to pronouns:

• He or she is going to the store.
• He or they are going to the store.

While this principle usually provides clear guidance, a sentence like “Either the parents or the child is responsible” can feel slightly awkward, even though grammatically correct. In such cases, where the proximity rule creates a jarring effect, restructuring the sentence for better flow is often preferable. For instance, “Either the child is responsible, or the parents are” provides smoother readability.

In conclusion, the conjunction “or” signifies a choice between singular entities, even when connecting plural nouns. Therefore, the verb must agree with the closest noun or pronoun, ensuring grammatical accuracy and reflecting the exclusive nature of the choice presented. When strict adherence to this rule creates awkward phrasing, restructuring the sentence often provides the best solution.

#Grammar #Plural #Singular