Question

Fill in the blank with a suitable verb.
Either you or he ________ to leave the place.
A. Have
B. Are
C. Am
D. Has

Answer 1

Hint:The given sentence uses a correlative conjunction either/or. The rule with this correlative conjunction says that the two subjects joined by or followed by the verb should agree with the second subject instead of the first one. The second subject in the given sentence is ‘he’ which is singular. Therefore we need a singular helping verb.

 Complete answer:
Let us analyse each option individually in detail to figure out the correct answer.

A. Have : The verb ‘have’ is not appropriate for this sentence as it is used for a plural subject. Example: They have been to America. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

B. Are: The verb ‘have’ is not appropriate for this sentence as it is used for a plural subject. Example: They are out of town. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

C. Am : The verb ‘am’ is used for a singular subject, with ‘I’. Example: I am going to Dubai next week. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

D. Has: The verb ‘has’ is used for a singular subject. Example: He has come to pick you up. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Hence, the correct answer is Option ‘D’.

Note: Correlative conjunction comes in pairs. They are used at different places in a sentence to justify its meaning. The verb following the subjects connected by these conjunctions should agree with the second subject. Example: neither/nor, whether /or, not only/but also, as/as etc.

Example: I don’t like music as much as I like dance.
Example: Neither Mira nor her mother came to see me.