As a professional, it is important to understand the proper use of subject-verb agreement when it comes to the phrase “either/or.” This phrase can be tricky when it comes to choosing the correct verb form because it requires you to make a decision about which subject is more important in the sentence.

In general, when using “either/or,” the verb form should agree with the second subject in the phrase. For example, consider the following sentence: “Either the boy or the girl is going to the party.” In this case, the second subject is “the girl,” so the verb “is” should agree with that subject.

However, there are some situations where it may be appropriate to make the verb agree with the first subject. For example, if the first subject is more important or prominent in the sentence, it may make more sense to use that subject to determine the verb form. Consider this sentence: “Either the church or the school is responsible for the maintenance of the playground.” In this case, the first subject “the church” may be more important or relevant, so it makes sense to use the singular verb “is” to agree with that subject.

In addition, it is important to note that using “either/or” in a sentence can create a sense of exclusivity. This means that only one of the subjects can be true, and the other option is not possible. For example, consider this sentence: “Either I will go to the beach or I will stay home.” This creates a sense of exclusivity because it implies that the speaker cannot do both things at once.

Overall, when using “either/or” in a sentence, it is important to consider the context and determine which subject is more important or relevant. This will help you choose the correct verb form and create clear, precise sentences that accurately convey your intended meaning. As a professional, mastering subject-verb agreement when using “either/or” is an important skill that will help you create high-quality content that is both effective and engaging.