Conjunctions connecting two or more homogeneous subjects

A plural verb-predicate is used in the following cases:

1. With homogeneous subjects connected by and.

Sun and airare necessary for life. Tom and Maryare my friends.

However, with structures where coordinated nouns refer to one thing or person a singular verb-predicate is used:

Bread and butter is not enough for breakfast. (one object is meant)

Bacon and eggsmakes a traditional English breakfast. (one dish is meant)

If the article is repeated, the reference is to two persons or objects, and a plural verb-predicate is used.

The bread and the butter are on the table. (two separate object are meant)

However, the article is repeated before each attribute only with countable nouns. Uncountables have no article.

In modern hotels hot and cold water are supplied in every room.

American and Dutch beer are both much lighter than British.

2. With homogeneous subjects connected by both... and:

Both the bread and the butterare fresh. Both the teacher and the studentshave come.

3. With homogeneous subjects connected by the conjunctions not only... but also, either... or, or, neither... nor the verb-predicate agrees with the nearest noun-subject (the so-called “proximity rule”):

Either my sister or my parentsare at home. Either my parents or my sisteris at home.

Neither you norI am right. Neither I nor youare right.

Not only my parents but also my brotherknows about it.

Not only my brother but also my parentsknow about it.

4. With homogeneous subjects connected by the conjunctionsas well as, rather than, as much as, more thanthe verb-predicate agrees with the first one.

My parents as well as my sisterare teachers. My sister as well as my parentsis a teacher.

The manager as well as/rather than/more than/as much as the members of the boardis responsible for the present situation.

<== попередня сторінка	\|	наступна сторінка ==>
Pronouns as subject	\|	THE OBJECT

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