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Subject:When subject is singular or plural... From:Mark Levinson <mark -at- SD -dot- CO -dot- IL> Date:Sun, 11 Sep 1994 10:49:25 IST
I'd use, "One or two secondary detectors...." I believe that if the
number may be plural, noun and verb are plural.
** The conventional wisdom I go by is that if the subject is a singular and
a plural linked by "or", the verb agrees with whichever one is closer.
Johnny Mathis or the Platters were on the radio when I dozed off.
The Platters or Johnny Mathis was on the radio when I dozed off.
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