Subject-verb agreement can be a tricky aspect of English grammar, particularly when dealing with words such as “or” and “nor.” By understanding the rules behind this aspect of grammar, you can ensure that your writing is technically correct and optimized for search engines.

When using “or” in a sentence, it is important to remember that the verb must agree with the subject closest to it. For example, “Either the dog or the cats are going to the vet” is correct because “cats” is plural. However, if the sentence were changed to “Either the cats or the dog is going to the vet,” “dog” is now singular and requires a different verb form.

When using “nor,” the same principle applies. The verb must again agree with the subject closest to it. For example, “Neither the boss nor his employees were happy with the decision,” is correct because “employees” is plural. However, if the sentence were changed to “Neither the employees nor the boss was happy with the decision,” “boss” is now singular and requires a different verb form.

It is important to note that when using “or” and “nor” in a sentence with both singular and plural subjects, the subject closer to the verb will determine the verb form. For example, “Neither the teacher nor the students were interested in the topic,” is correct because “students” is plural and closer to the verb.

Using correct subject-verb agreement is not only important for proper grammar, but it can also have an impact on search engine optimization. By using proper grammar, your writing can become more readable and engaging to readers, allowing them to stay on your website longer. In addition, search engine algorithms are designed to give preference to well-written, grammatically correct content.

In conclusion, understanding subject-verb agreement when using words such as “or” and “nor” is crucial for both technical correctness and search engine optimization. Remember to always use the verb form that corresponds with the subject closest to the verb, and strive to write grammatically correct content to improve the readability and SEO of your writing.