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The Mayfield Handbook of Technical & Scientific Writing
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Section 6.8.1.1

Two or More Nouns

If your subject consists of two or more nouns, you need to pay special attention to subject-verb agreement. If the nouns are connected by the coordinating conjunction and, use a plural verb.


Unacceptable

Although accidents and congestion results from driving itself rather than from fuel use, much of urban air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the economic burden of oil imports can all be tied directly to fuel consumption.

Acceptable

Although accidents and congestion result from driving itself rather than from fuel use, much of urban air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the economic burden of oil imports can all be tied directly to fuel consumption.

--"Improving Automotive Efficiency," Scientific American (modified)


However, if the nouns connected by the coordinating conjunction and are generally thought of as one item, use a singular verb.


Unacceptable

Macaroni and cheese are easy to make.

Acceptable

Macaroni and cheese is easy to make.


If the nouns are connected by the coordinating conjunction or, use a verb that agrees with the nearer noun.


Unacceptable

Your advisor or your course instructor are required to sign the form.

Acceptable

Your advisor or your course instructor is required to sign the form.


If the nouns are connected by the correlative conjunction both . . . and, use a plural verb.


Unacceptable

Both your advisor and your course instructor is required to sign the form.

Acceptable

Both your advisor and your course instructor are required to sign the form.


If the nouns are connected by the correlative conjunctions either . . . or, neither . . . nor, not only . . . but also, use a verb that agrees with the nearer noun.


Unacceptable

Either your course instructor or three fellow students who know your ability is required to sign the form.

Either three fellow students who know your ability or your course instructor are required to sign the form.

Acceptable

Either your course instructor or three fellow students who know your ability are required to sign the form.

Either three fellow students who know your ability or your course instructor is required to sign the form.


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## Two or More Nouns ##
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