Question

______ my father ________ his brother were born in Canada.

• A. Neither - nor
• B. Both - and
• C. Either - or
• D. Whether - or

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Both - and

Sentence:

“Both my father and his brother were born in Canada.”

Key Rules & Concepts:

1. Both... and:

   • Used to join two subjects compoundly (plural meaning).

   • Always takes a plural verb regardless of whether the individual subjects are singular or plural.

   • Here, my father (singular) + his brother (singular) joined by Both... and takes the plural verb were.

2. Neither... nor / Either... or:

   • When two subjects are connected by Neither... nor or Either... or, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it (Rule of Proximity).

   • In this sentence, the subject closer to the blank is his brother (singular). If Neither... nor or Either... or were used, the verb would have to be was, not were:

     • Neither my father nor his brother was born in Canada. (Correct)

     • Neither my father nor his brother were born in Canada. (Incorrect)

3. Conclusion:

   • Since the given sentence uses the plural verb were, only Both... and is grammatically correct.