Question

Neither Seena nor Reena _____ well.

• A. swim
• B. swims
• C. is swimming
• D. are swimming

Answer 1

Answer:

B. swims

• രണ്ട് ഏകവചന വിഷയങ്ങളെ(singular subjects) ബന്ധിപ്പിക്കുന്ന "neither/nor" ഉള്ള വാക്യങ്ങളിൽ, verb അതിനോട് ഏറ്റവും അടുത്തുള്ള വിഷയവുമായി യോജിക്കണം, ഈ സാഹചര്യത്തിൽ അത് "Reena" ആണ്.

• അതിനാൽ, ക്രിയയുടെ ഏകവചനമായ (singular form) "swims" എന്നത് ശരിയായ ഉത്തരമാണ്.

• The Proximity Rule: When two subjects are joined by "neither... nor," the verb must agree with the subject closest to it.

• Subject-Verb Agreement: In this sentence, the subject closest to the verb is "Reena," which is a singular noun.

• Verb Form: For a singular subject in the simple present tense, the verb must also be singular. In English, singular action verbs typically end in "-s" (e.g., swims, plays, eats). 

Why others are incorrect:

• swim: This is a plural verb form and would be used if the second subject were plural (e.g., "Neither Seena nor her friends swim well").

• is swimming / are swimming: These present continuous forms imply a temporary action happening right now, whereas the sentence describes a general ability or habit