Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment. If no substitution is required select 'No substitution'.
Neither the directors nor the Chairman were available to interrogation.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The Correct answer is option 3 i.e. was available for.
- Neither-nor connects two or more negative alternatives.
- When we say none of the options are real or true, we use 'neither-nor'.
- The verb agrees with the subject preceding it. If the subject is singular, the verb has to be singular.
- If one subject is singular and the other is plural, and the words are connected by the words "or," "nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," or "not only/but also," use the verb form of the subject that is nearest the verb.
- If both subjects are singular, then the verb is singular too.
- Ex: Neither Sarah nor Peter was to blame for the mistake.
- Neither the chairman nor the team members were present there.
Hence, the given sentence has an error in option 3, therefore 'was' will be used in place of 'were' as the nearest subject(the chairman) is singular so it will take singular verb with it.