My husband just wrote the following sentence in a formal email:
"I've attached my resume in case either you or he needs a copy for reference."
Should that word in Italics be "needs" or "need?" (And did I put that question mark in the right place?) In other words, does a verb after nouns/pronouns joined by "or" agree with the first or second noun(/pronoun)?
I wait with baited breath on your brilliant responses. :) Thanks all, and hope you're having a great semester!
I would have avoided the conundrum by writing: ..."in case a reference copy is needed," or "if either of you need a copy for reference."
ReplyDeleteThese little things mess me up too. Sorry I didn't solve the grammar directly.
Except "if either of you need a copy" is actually incorrect. It should be "needs" because of the prepositional phrase. Why is English so crazy?!!
ReplyDeleteIs it incorrect also because "either" is considered singular?- or just because of the pp.
ReplyDelete