Either He Or I Are Wrong Correct Sentence

Either He or I Am Wrong: Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement

The seemingly simple sentence, "Either he or I are wrong," trips up many native English speakers. The confusion stems from a fundamental grammatical concept: subject-verb agreement. This article delves deep into this common grammatical error, explaining the rules governing subject-verb agreement with compound subjects, providing ample examples, and offering strategies to avoid making this mistake in the future. We'll also explore the nuances of other similar constructions and offer some helpful tips for improving your grammar overall.

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that requires the verb in a sentence to agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. This means a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. For example:

Singular: The dog barks loudly.
Plural: The dogs bark loudly.

The challenge arises when dealing with compound subjects—subjects comprised of two or more nouns or pronouns joined by conjunctions like "and," "or," and "nor."

The Case of "Either...Or" and "Neither...Nor"

Sentences using "either...or" or "neither...nor" present a unique situation. The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. This is known as the principle of proximity. Let's break it down:

"Either he or I am wrong." This is the correct sentence. The verb "am" agrees with the subject closest to it, "I," which is singular.
"Either he or I are wrong." This is incorrect. While both "he" and "I" are singular, the verb should agree with the closest subject.

Here's the breakdown of the rule applied to different scenarios:

Singular Subjects with "Either...Or" and "Neither...Nor"

Either the cat or the dog is sleeping. (The verb "is" agrees with "dog.")
Neither the teacher nor the student is prepared. (The verb "is" agrees with "student.")
Either my brother or my sister is coming to the party. (The verb "is" agrees with "sister.")
Neither the sun nor the stars are visible tonight. (While technically incorrect as the closest subject is singular, the sentence sounds more natural due to the proximity of the plural noun 'stars' to the verb. However, it's crucial to emphasize correct grammatical structures as a preferred choice.)

Plural Subjects with "Either...Or" and "Neither...Nor"

Either the dogs or the cats are making a mess. (The verb "are" agrees with "cats.")
Neither the students nor the professor are finished with the exam. (The verb "are" agrees with "professor.")
Either the birds or the squirrels are eating the seeds. (The verb "are" agrees with "squirrels.")

Mixed Singular and Plural Subjects with "Either...Or" and "Neither...Nor"

This is where the rule of proximity becomes most critical. The verb agrees with the subject closest to it, regardless of whether it's singular or plural.

Either the students or the teacher is responsible. (The verb "is" agrees with "teacher.")
Either the teacher or the students are responsible. (The verb "are" agrees with "students.")
Neither the books nor the magazine is on the shelf. (The verb "is" agrees with "magazine.")
Neither the magazine nor the books are on the shelf. (The verb "are" agrees with "books.")

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most frequent errors occur when the subject closest to the verb is plural, even if the other subject is singular. Remember to focus on the subject closest to the verb, not the overall meaning of the phrase.

Incorrect: Either the students or the teacher are responsible for the mess. (Incorrect because the verb "are" doesn't agree with the closest singular subject, "teacher.")
Correct: Either the students or the teacher is responsible for the mess. (Correct because the verb "is" agrees with the closest singular subject "teacher")
Incorrect: Neither my sister nor my parents are coming to the party. (Incorrect due to the plural verb "are" not agreeing with the singular subject "sister.")
Correct: Neither my sister nor my parents is coming to the party. (While awkward-sounding, this is grammatically correct, emphasizing proper subject-verb agreement.)

Beyond "Either...Or" and "Neither...Nor": More Complex Cases

The principle of proximity and subject-verb agreement extends beyond "either...or" and "neither...nor" constructions. Consider these examples:

Compound subjects joined by "and": In most cases, subjects joined by "and" are plural and require a plural verb. For example: "My brother and sister are going to the movies." However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity, a singular verb is used. For instance: "My favorite food, macaroni and cheese, is delicious."
Collective nouns: These nouns refer to a group of individuals (e.g., team, family, committee). Whether they take a singular or plural verb depends on the context. If the group acts as a single unit, a singular verb is used. If the individuals within the group are acting independently, a plural verb is appropriate. For example: "The team is undefeated" (acting as a unit); "The team are arguing amongst themselves" (individuals acting independently).
Indefinite pronouns: Pronouns such as "everyone," "someone," "anyone," "nobody," and "everybody" are always singular and take a singular verb. For instance: "Everyone is welcome."
Inverted sentences: In sentences with inverted word order (e.g., questions), the verb still agrees with the subject. For example: "Where are my keys?" (Subject "keys" is plural, thus "are").

Strategies for Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement

To consistently apply subject-verb agreement rules:

Identify the subject: Clearly identify the subject of the sentence. This is often the noun or pronoun performing the action.
Determine the number of the subject: Is the subject singular or plural?
Choose the correct verb form: Select the verb form that agrees in number with the subject.
Practice: Regularly practice identifying subjects and verbs and ensuring agreement. Read widely and pay attention to grammatical structures in well-written materials. Use online grammar exercises and quizzes to reinforce your understanding.
Read aloud: Reading your writing aloud can help you catch grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement problems. Your ear can often detect inconsistencies that your eyes might miss.

Conclusion: Precision in Grammar

Mastering subject-verb agreement, especially with complex constructions like "either...or" and "neither...nor," demonstrates a strong command of the English language. By understanding the rules of proximity and applying them consistently, you can avoid common grammatical errors and enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Remember, the key lies in consistently identifying the subject closest to the verb and ensuring the verb's number aligns with it. This attention to detail elevates your writing, making it more persuasive, accurate, and impactful. Continuous practice and focused attention to grammatical nuances will build your confidence and improve your overall writing skills. So, keep practicing, keep writing, and keep refining your grammatical skills!