Neither the students nor their teacher want the storm to hit vs Neither the students nor their teacher wants the storm to hit

Both phrases are correct, but they differ in subject-verb agreement. The first phrase 'neither the students nor their teacher want the storm to hit' is correct because 'want' agrees with the plural subject 'students.' The second phrase 'neither the students nor their teacher wants the storm to hit' is also correct because 'wants' agrees with the singular subject 'teacher.' Both constructions are acceptable depending on whether the verb agrees with the closest subject or the plural subjects as a whole.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1265 views

This phrase is correct. 'Want' agrees with the plural subject 'students.'

"Neither the students nor their teacher want the storm to hit "

This phrase is used when the verb agrees with the plural subjects as a whole.

Show examples from the web [+]

The students should teach their teachers.
On 24 September 2009 a Greek higher education establishment announced that it would refuse to accept students with disabilities under the public admissions scheme on the grounds that it had neither the necessary facilities for blind students nor the necessary access arrangements for students of limited mobility.
Mitchell Duneier: Mills wants the student of sociology to develop the quality of mind...
Because I didn't want the students to know I threw the party.
Neither the university nor the students had been warned about the introduction of such meat in the university canteens; this meant that for several months the students themselves had been eating halal meat without their knowledge.
Girls love students and I are neither student nor love.
One chooses their teacher and remains faithful.
Students stand up when their teacher enters.
I would like to say here that neither the Commission, nor, I believe, Parliament, wants the functioning of the regulation to be hijacked by the systematic use of this qualitative criterion.
Teacher wants us in the library.
Adam's teacher wants to have a conference with us next week.
My teacher wants to see you.
By the way, my teacher wants to meet you.
Brick's teacher wants to see us.
The teachers want to put her into the advanced learning classes.
My teacher wants to see you on Wednesday.
Obviously, her teacher wants to see us.
They accused their teacher of Nazism.
Other classes are jealous as their teachers are monsters.
Their teacher said they asked for blood.

This phrase is correct. 'Wants' agrees with the singular subject 'teacher.'

"Neither the students nor their teacher wants the storm to hit "

This phrase is used when the verb agrees with the closest subject.

Show examples from the web [+]

The students should teach their teachers.
On 24 September 2009 a Greek higher education establishment announced that it would refuse to accept students with disabilities under the public admissions scheme on the grounds that it had neither the necessary facilities for blind students nor the necessary access arrangements for students of limited mobility.
Mitchell Duneier: Mills wants the student of sociology to develop the quality of mind...
Because I didn't want the students to know I threw the party.
Neither the university nor the students had been warned about the introduction of such meat in the university canteens; this meant that for several months the students themselves had been eating halal meat without their knowledge.
Girls love students and I are neither student nor love.
One chooses their teacher and remains faithful.
Students stand up when their teacher enters.
I would like to say here that neither the Commission, nor, I believe, Parliament, wants the functioning of the regulation to be hijacked by the systematic use of this qualitative criterion.
Teacher wants us in the library.
Adam's teacher wants to have a conference with us next week.
My teacher wants to see you.
By the way, my teacher wants to meet you.
Brick's teacher wants to see us.
The teachers want to put her into the advanced learning classes.
My teacher wants to see you on Wednesday.
Obviously, her teacher wants to see us.
They accused their teacher of Nazism.
Other classes are jealous as their teachers are monsters.
Their teacher said they asked for blood.

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Neither the students nor their teacher want the storm to hit vs Neither the students nor their teacher wants the storm to hit