The 'either'-'or' factor

Manisha Agrawal from St. Xavier's College, Ranchi wrote:

I have some confusion with sentences like: "Either Shyam or Ram have gone to Kolkata" or will it be "Either Shyam or Ram has gone to Kolkata"? Which is correct and why?

The correct one is 'Either Shyam or Ram has gone to Kolkata."

The strict rule is : when two singular subjects [in this case Shyam, Ram] are joined by or
or either ... or, they require a singular verb and singular pronouns. [in this case has gone is the singular verb].

A doctor or a paramedic is always available on call, and he can provide emergency services.

However, there is a natural tendency to use the plural with two or more singular subjects when their mutual exclusion is not emphasised. This has poetic and literary use, as well as conversational use. Examples:

Be warned, my father's rage or anger may vent themselves on your poor head!

[rage and anger are synonyms, and though technically two subjects, they really mean almost the same thing.]

When one subject is plural, it is best to put the verb in the plural, and place the plural subject nearer to the verb.

Either the young man or his parents are to blame.

[In the example, 'young man' is singular, 'his parents' are plural.]

In my next post for Question Box, I'll discuss the either-or aspect with personal pronouns]