Get it correct

In the past few weeks, we have been looking at subject/verb agreement or concord, especially in the situation where we have to use the expressions either ... or and neither .... nor.

I am sure we remember the principles involved in selecting an appropriate verb when we have the situation of either .... or and neither ... nor:

i. if the two items used with either ... or and neither ... nor are both singular,  we go for a singular verb, as in:
Either Kojo or Kofi is telling a lie.
Neither the boy nor the girl is prepared to give in.

ii. If the two items used with either ... or and neither ... nor are both plural,  we go for a plural verb,  as in:
Either the teachers or the pupils have something to hide.
Neither the boys nor the girls are prepared to give in.

iii. If the two items used with either...or and neither... nor are of different numbers --- that is, one is singular while the other is plural --- or different persons of pronouns --- that is, one is first person and the other is third person --- then we apply the principle of Proximity Concord, which says it is the item closer to the verb that determines whether the verb should be singular or plural, as in:
Either the student or his teachers are telling a lie.
Either the teachers or the student is telling a lie.
Neither my parents nor my brother is going with me.
Neither my brother nor my parents are going with me.
Either he or you are wrong.
Either you or I am going to run this errand.
Neither he nor you know the answer.
Neither he nor I am to blame for the unfortunate situation.

With these principles in mind, let's test ourselves with these questions:
1. Neither the men nor I ... the power to drive that car.
a) has  b) have  c) is having  d) are having
2. The boy, his brother or I ...  a reward.
a) deserves  b) deserving  c) deserve  d) is deserving
3. Either he or the girls ... to be talked to.
a) need  b) needs  c) needing  d) is needing
4. Neither your brother nor you ... my friend.
a) are  b) is  c) be  d) was
5. Sam, Peter and Fiifi ... to do this work.
a) has  b) having  c) is  d) have