were OR was?

English translation: depends on second conjunct

03:28 Aug 10, 2006

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / grammar

English term or phrase: were OR was?

But neither the witch nor her companion WERE to be seen. Where could they be?

Dear native English speakers!
Please advise which variant is more grammatically correct:
'neither X nor Y WERE to be seen'
OR
'neither X nor Y WAS to be seen'.
I believe it's 'were', but admit I may be wrong. I have noticed that the latter is as common on the Web as the former.

Andrew Vdovin KudoZ activity Questions: 3923 (2 open) (2 closed without grading) Answers: 3924
Local time: 06:12

Selected answer:depends on second conjunct

Explanation:
if the second conjunct is singulare, use "was"
if it's plural, use "were"

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Note added at 7 mins (2006-08-10 03:36:26 GMT)
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for ex:,
Netiher Mary nor John was to be seen
Neither Mary nor her sisters were to be seen.

However, it is also true that nowadays many native speakers use "were" all the time; in fact, it has become acceptacle in usage -i.e., informally.

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Note added at 9 mins (2006-08-10 03:38:21 GMT)
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of course, I meant "singular," nit "singulare"!
also: acceptable, not acceptacle!
Sorry! My keyboard has been a bit strange lately.

Selected response from:

transparx
United States
Local time: 19:12

Grading comment

Thank you very much for your help! Thanks everybody!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

4 +6

was

RHELLER

5 +2

depends on second conjunct