either ……… or ………… either ……… or …………
to shorten two positive sentences to shorten two positive sentences
the predicate or the verb depends on the nearest subject the predicate or the verb depends on the nearest subject
example: example:
Alvin studies French. Albert studies French Alvin studies French. Albert studies French
↓ ↓
Either Alvin or Albert studies French. Either Alvin or Albert studies French.
Singular subject singular verb Singular subject singular verb
Alvin studies French. His brothers study French. Alvin studies French. His brothers study French.
↓ ↓
Either Alvin or his brothers study French. Either Alvin or his brothers study French.
plural subject plural verb plural subject plural verb
neither ……… nor ………… neither ……… nor …………
to shorten two negative sentences to shorten two negative sentences
the predicate or the verb depends on the nearest subject the predicate or the verb depends on the nearest subject
example: example:
Your dog is not able to jump over that fence. Your dog is not able to jump over that fence.
My dog is not able to jump over that fence. My dog is not able to jump over that fence.
↓ ↓
Neither your dog nor my dog is able to jump over that fence. Neither your dog nor my dog is able to jump over that fence.
Singular subject singular verb Singular subject singular verb
My bulldog is not able to jump over that fence. My bulldog is not able to jump over that fence.
My other dogs are not able to jump over that fence. My other dogs are not able to jump over that fence.
↓ ↓
Neither my bulldog nor my other dogs are able to jump over that fence. Neither my bulldog nor my other dogs are able to jump over that fence.
Plural subject Plural verb Plural subject Plural verb
Exercise Exercise
Combine these following sentences using either …….or / neither …….nor! Combine these following sentences using either …….or / neither …….nor!
1. Father doesn’t speak English. Father doesn’t speak French. 1. Father doesn’t speak English. Father doesn’t speak French.
2. Nancy is interested in this program. Her sisters are interested in this program. 2. Nancy is interested in this program. Her sisters are interested in this
3. Jane is not going to Bali next week. Her friends are not going to Bali next program.
week. 3. Jane is not going to Bali next week. Her friends are not going to Bali next
4. The film is not interesting. It is not exciting. week.
5. You have not seen this movie. Your brother has not seen this movie. 4. The film is not interesting. It is not exciting.
6. I am invited to attend the meeting. My friends are invited to attend the 5. You have not seen this movie. Your brother has not seen this movie.
meeting. 6. I am invited to attend the meeting. My friends are invited to attend the
7. Bob will come here to help you. Jack will come here to help you. meeting.
8. Mary is leaving tomorrow morning. Her family is leaving tomorrow morning. 7. Bob will come here to help you. Jack will come here to help you.
9. I believe that nobody is completely bad. I believe that nobody is perfectly 8. Mary is leaving tomorrow morning. Her family is leaving tomorrow
good. morning.
10. You must write with a pen. You must write with a pencil. 9. I believe that nobody is completely bad. I believe that nobody is perfectly
good.
“If you don’t get what you like, why don’t try to like what you get?” 10. You must write with a pen. You must write with a pencil.
“If you don’t get what you like, why don’t try to like what you get?”
