CSEET · Business Communication · Essentials of Good English
Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.
The correct sentence is 'Neither the directors nor the secretary was present at the meeting.' With neither...nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject, 'secretary', which is singular, so 'was' is correct. The other sentences break agreement rules.
- AThe committee have submitted its report to the Registrar.
- BThe list of pending invoices are on your desk.
- CNeither the directors nor the secretary was present at the meeting.Correct
- DEach of the shareholders have received a notice.
Explanation
With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. 'Secretary' is singular, so 'was' is correct. In option B the subject is 'list' (singular), so 'are' is wrong. In option D 'each' takes a singular verb, so 'has' is needed. Option A mixes a plural verb with the singular pronoun 'its'.
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