Mixed Subjects with 'Or' / 'Nor': The Proximity Rule
'Or' / 'Nor' से जुड़े मिश्रित कर्ता: निकटता का नियम
When one singular subject and one plural subject are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb agrees with the subject that is *closer* to it. This is famously known as the 'Rule of Proximity' or 'Rule of the Nearest Subject'.
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Fun Memory Story & Formula Trick:
💡 The Verb's Polite Neighbor: Imagine the verb as a polite person asking for directions. It doesn't ask everyone; it only asks the 'neighbor' (the subject) who is *right next door* to decide its form (singular or plural).
💡 क्रिया का विनम्र पड़ोसी: कल्पना कीजिए कि क्रिया एक विनम्र व्यक्ति है जो दिशा-निर्देश पूछ रहा है। यह हर किसी से नहीं पूछता; यह केवल 'पड़ोसी' (कर्ता) से पूछता है जो उसके *ठीक बगल में* है ताकि उसका रूप (एकवचन या बहुवचन) तय किया जा सके।
⚠️ Exam Trap: Examiners frequently reverse the order of singular and plural subjects to test if you correctly apply the proximity rule. They might also insert a long, distracting phrase between the closer subject and the verb.
đ Key Grammar Rules & Formulas:
- âĻ Rule 1: Singular Subject + Or/Nor + Plural Subject = Plural Verb (because the plural subject is closer).
- âĻ Example: Either the principal or the teachers are attending the conference.
- âĻ Rule 2: Plural Subject + Or/Nor + Singular Subject = Singular Verb (because the singular subject is closer).
- + View all 5 rules & examples â
⥠Instant Error Spotting Test
Click to check
Choose the option that best replaces the underlined part of the sentence: Neither the students nor the teacher *were aware* of the sudden change in schedule.
The subjects are 'students' (plural) and 'teacher' (singular), joined by 'neither...nor'. The subject closer to the verb is 'teacher' (singular). Therefore, the verb must be singular. 'Were aware' should be replaced with 'was aware'.
đ Standard Grammar Rules (100% Original Content)
Full Rules & Mnemonics â