Recently we’ve been addressing the importance of precision of language in technical writing because it can make the difference between less effective and more effective presentations. Two posts ago we examined the differences between personal and personnel. Then in the last post we highlighted the distinctions between capital and capitol. In this post we will consider nor and or.
Most writers understand that nor always follows neither, and or always follows either. But some get confused when confronted with subject-verb agreement, especially if one element of the neither/either construction is singular and the other is plural. If both elements are either singular or plural, no confusion exists. It’s when one element is one and the other the other that the question gets raised.
For instance, consider this example sentence:
Most writers understand that nor always follows neither, and or always follows either. But some get confused when confronted with subject-verb agreement, especially if one element of the neither/either construction is singular and the other is plural. If both elements are either singular or plural, no confusion exists. It’s when one element is one and the other the other that the question gets raised.
For instance, consider this example sentence:
Either the welding material or the welding procedure was changed.
Most writers don’t have any issues here. Both material and procedure are singular, so the verb to be is conjugated with a singular form. But what if there is really more than one welding material (which is common in real life) but only one welding procedure (also common in real life) for a particular application?
The number adopted by the verb conjugation should match the number of the closer subject element. Thus, we could have either of the following sentences:
The number adopted by the verb conjugation should match the number of the closer subject element. Thus, we could have either of the following sentences:
Either the welding materials or the welding procedure was changed.
Either the welding procedure or the welding materials were changed.
Either the welding procedure or the welding materials were changed.
Both of these sentences are correct. Notice that the first sentence has the subject procedure closer to the verb; procedure is singular, so the verb is singular (was). But the second sentence has the subject materials closer to the verb; materials is plural, so the verb is plural (were). The same rule applies to neither/nor as it does to either/or.
So when using nor/or, agree your verb with the nearer subject. Precision of language provides that attention to detail which will not only present your message more effectively but also better represent both you and your brand in the minds of your audience.
So when using nor/or, agree your verb with the nearer subject. Precision of language provides that attention to detail which will not only present your message more effectively but also better represent both you and your brand in the minds of your audience.
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