Subject-verb agreement is an essential component of good writing. It ensures that the subject and verb in a sentence are correctly matched in terms of number, person, and tense. One of the most challenging aspects of subject-verb agreement is dealing with the word “either.” In this article, we`ll explore the rules for subject-verb agreement with “either.”

Firstly, it`s important to understand the meaning and usage of “either.” Generally, it is used to indicate a choice between two options. The tricky part comes when we use it as a subject in a sentence. When “either” is the subject of a sentence, it is considered singular, even though it refers to two options. Therefore, the verb in the sentence must also be singular.

For example, consider the following sentence:

“Either the cat or the dog is responsible for the mess.”

In this sentence, “either” is the subject, and “is” is the singular verb that matches it. Note that “cat” and “dog” are both singular nouns, but they are connected by “or,” which means that only one of them can be responsible for the mess. Hence, the singular verb “is” is correct.

Another important thing to note is that when “either” is followed by “or,” the verb must agree with the noun that comes immediately after “or.” For example:

“Either the teacher or the students are responsible for the project.”

In this sentence, “are” is the plural verb that agrees with “students” because they come after “or.”

Moreover, when “either” is used in a negative sentence, it is often followed by “nor” to indicate two negative options. In this case, the verb must be singular because “either” is the subject. For example:

“Either he doesn`t like pizza, nor does he like burgers.”

In this sentence, “does” is the singular verb that matches “either.”

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement with “either” requires careful attention to the meaning of the sentence. Remember that “either” is singular when it`s the subject, and the verb must also be singular. If “either” is followed by “or,” the verb must agree with the noun that comes after “or.” And if “either” is used in a negative sentence with “nor,” the verb must be singular. By following these rules, you`ll be able to write grammatically correct sentences that are easy to understand and communicate your ideas effectively.