Which of the following verb agreements is correct when using either/or and neither/nor constructions?

The correct answer is based on the principle that in either/or and neither/nor constructions, the verb agreement aligns with the subject that is closest to the verb. This means that when using these structures, if the noun closest to the verb is singular, the verb should be singular, whereas if the noun closest to the verb is plural, the verb should be plural. This rule helps clarify meaning and maintains grammatical coherence in complex sentences.

For example, in the case of “Neither the teacher nor the students are ready,” the verb "are" agrees with "students," which is the closest noun and is plural. Conversely, in “Either the cat or the dogs are making noise,” "are" agrees with "dogs," the nearest subject. This detail is crucial for proper sentence structure and effective communication.