Which of these sentences is correct?

Neither Ram nor Shyam was present.Correct answerYour answerNeither Ram nor Shyam were present.Correct answerYour answerNeither Ram or Shyam was present.Correct answerYour answerNeither Ram and Shyam was present.Correct answerYour answer

Show the answer and explanation

CorrectNot quiteAnswer A

Correct answer: A

"Neither" pairs with "nor", and with two singular subjects the verb is singular: "Neither Ram nor Shyam was present."

Worth noting

"Were" treats the two as one plural subject, but "neither ... nor" takes the number of the nearer one, "Shyam".

Concept: "Neither ... nor"
Typical timeTypical: 45 s
Your timeYours: —

The rule this testsThe one correct sentence

Practise this chapter →

Ten questions from Improving the sentence, at your own pace.

Practise this chapter →

Ten questions from Improving the sentence, at your own pace.

Practise this chapter All 80 questions in Improving the sentence Revise the notes for Improving the sentence

Which of these sentences is correct?

Explanation