<p>Hi,</p>
<p>What is the correct answer to this:</p>
<p>On second thought, either Brian or you is going to be the male lead in the play.</p>
<p>I think the "is" should be replaced with "are" to give it subject-verb agreement. </p>
<p>The Barron's Grammar Workbook on page 32 says the correct answer is there is no error. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>“Either” is the clue. One or the other. Not both. Is. </p>
<p>you can think of either as a singular subject…</p>
<p>As far as I know, If one subject is singular and one plural and the words are connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but also, you use the verb form of the subject that is nearest the verb.</p>
<p>Either the bears or the lion has escaped from the zoo. Neither the lion nor the bears have escaped from the zoo.</p>
<p>If “bears have escaped” is correct, then why isn’t “you are” correct in my example?</p>
<p>Some other examples are:</p>
<p>Either Grandpa or my sisters are going to the park. (closest subject is plural)
Either my sisters or Grandpa is going to the park. (closest subject is singular)
Neither she nor I am going to college. (closest subject is singular)</p>
<p>If these examples follow the subject-verb agreement, then why is the "you"rule different?</p>