Identify the segment containing a grammatical error: 'Neither the principal (A) / nor the teachers (B) / was present at the annual symposium (C) / yesterday morning. (D)'
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. was present at the annual symposium
- Step 1: In correlative conjunctions using 'neither... nor...', the verb must agree in number with the nearer subject.
- Step 2: Here, the nearer subject is 'the teachers', which is plural.
- Step 3: Therefore, the singular verb 'was' is incorrect and must be replaced by the plural verb 'were'.
Answer
was present at the annual symposium.
Why not the others: The noun phrases 'Neither the principal', 'nor the teachers', and adverbial 'yesterday morning' are grammatically well-formed.
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