neither...nor...is/are

应牢记:在使用并列连词 or, either...or 和 neither...nor 来连接主语时,规定语法要求按靠近原则(即根据最靠近谓语动词的词语)来确定动词的人称。

1. Neither you, nor I, nor anyone else knows the answer. (CGEL) 无论是你, 是我, 还是其他任何人都不知道答案。

2. Neither he nor they are wholly right. 无论他还是他们都不全对。

3. Neither you nor he is to blame. 无论你还是他都没有过错。

4. Either Tim or his brothers have to shovel the snow. 蒂姆或是他兄弟们必须去铲雪。

5. Neither John nor the twins know how to spell the word "alligator." (DAI) 无论是约翰，还是那对孪生子都不知道如何拼写“alligator”(鳄鱼)这个词。

这是托福等考题经常考核的内容：

1. Neither Russia nor the United States have been able to discover a mutually satisfactory plan for gradual disarmament. (TOEFL)

neither...nor...is/are $^{2}$

2. Neither rain $\frac{\text{nor}}{\text{A}}$ snow nor sleet $\frac{\text{keep}}{\text{B}}$ the postman $\frac{\text{from}}{\text{C}}$ delivering our letters which we so much $\frac{\text{look forward}}{\text{D}}$ to receiving. (TOEFL)

3. Neither tears nor protest effect their parents' decision. (TOEFL)

4. Neither you nor he are to blame. (CEG, p. 503)

5. Neither the teacher nor the students were introduced to his dean. (全国研考)

这里应当指出,在非正式语体中,有时也能见到谓语动词一律使用复数的情况。这种用法已得到英语语法学家们的普遍认可:

1. Neither he nor his wife have arrived. (CGEL) 无论是他还是他的妻子都还没有到达。

2. Neither painting nor fighting feed men. (Raskin) 既不是绘画也不是战斗在哺育男人。

3. Neither James nor Virginia were at home. (PEU) 詹姆斯和弗吉尼亚都没有在家。

见 neither...nor...is/are $^{1}$ 。