Question

    Whenever his family or friend were around he became

    extremely energetic and hyper. Directions: In each question below, a sentence is given with a part of it printed in bold type. That part may contain a grammatical error. Each sentence is followed by phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D). Find out which phrase should replace the phrase given in bold to correct the error, if there is any, and to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and ‘No correction is required’ , mark (E) as the answer.
    A family or friends was around he became Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B family nor friend were around he became Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C family or friend was around he became Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D families or friend were around he became Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E No correction is required Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by "or" or "nor," the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the rule of proximity. So, here, since ‘friend’ is singular, ‘was’ is correct. Whenever his family or friend was around he became extremely energetic and hyper.

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