Subject verb agreement

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hanuman_2000  #49805  Mon, 11 Oct 04 05:20 AM
Sir,

Every boy and girl has been awarded.

Every boy and every girl has been awarded.


What is difference between two sentences, and Why the verb "has " , though two subject are connected with the "and".


Either the teachers or the student is lazy.

is this sentence correct?


thanks.

  
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CalifJim  #49819  Mon, 11 Oct 04 07:43 AM
"every boy and girl" and "every boy and every girl" are not different in meaning.
The word "every" takes the singular verb form, and two subjects connected by "and" take the plural verb form. The rule for the use of "every" is 'stronger', so when there is a situation where the two rules combine in one sentence, the rule for "every" is used.

Your "either...or" sentence is correct.

Smile [:)]
  
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