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Happy Blogiversary to Me!

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This past Wednesday marked the two-year blogiversary of Proof That blog. When I started posting, I wasn’t sure thereBlogiversary 2 would be an audience or how long I would have enough material to continue. Thanks to all of you who send me some of the greatest Grammar Giggles ever, tell me you love the blog when I have no idea you even read it, and send me ideas for topics, Proof That keeps going. There are lots of things that could be improved–I could get back on a more regular schedule, I could post more guest posts (hint, hint!), I could, I should, I would . . . but at this point in my life/career/can’t-keep-my-dang-hand-down volunteerism I’m doing the best I can and Proof That seems to be making at least some kind of impact. What more could I ask for? So when all is said and done, I’m pretty damn proud of this little blog and I hope you enjoy it and learn at least a little something every once in a while. Here’s to at least a couple more years of Proof That! I couldn’t do it without YOU and truly can’t thank you enough for your support! KEEP PROOFING!

 

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Either Or . . . Neither Nor . . . Connecting Singular Words and Plural Words and the Right Verb

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Either orThere is some confusion over whether to  use a singular or a plural verb when using the famous connectors or, either . . . or, neither . . . nor, or not only . . . but also. Here is a quick rundown that should help.

If you are connecting singular words using or, either . . . or, neither . . . nor, or not only . . . but also, the subject is singular, so you would use a singular verb.

  • Either Mary or Patsy is working overtime tonight.
  • Neither peanut butter nor jelly is in my cupboard.

Note that it is now also acceptable to connect more than two words using the connectors above.

  • Neither paper nor toner nor a manual was included with the new printer.

If you are connecting two or more plural words using or, either . . . or, neither . . . nor, or not only . . . but also, the subject is plural, so you would use a plural verb.

  • Either books or magazines are available in the doctor’s office.
  • Neither beans nor noodles are in my cupboard.

When you are using a mix of singular and plural words connected with or, either . . . or, neither . . . nor, or not only . . . but also, the verb should agree with the nearer part of the subject.

  • Either a diamond necklace or pearls go with that evening gown.
  • Either pearls or a diamond necklace goes with that evening gown.
  • Neither the boss nor the workers expect to work late.
  • Neither the workers nor the boss expects to work late.

I hope this helps. Do you have a topic that continues to confuse you? Either leave a comment below or email me at [email protected] and watch for a future blog post trying to make that topic easier to understand.

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Grammar Giggles – Michigan State is Accurate–or Not!

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This one was forwarded to me by my sister. Again, in my view educational institutions are held to a higher standard–even the sports programs. In fact, since all the money is going there instead of the arts, I hold them to an even higher standard!

 

Michigan State

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