Concord subject-verb

Luis Albornoz

Luis Albornoz

Senior Member
Santa Fe
Castellano - Argentina
This example really puzles me.

We can´t be both right. Either you or I (me?) is/ am/ are wrong

Note: I solved the problem using "must be wrong"
 
    • Luis Albornoz said:
    This example really puzles me.
    Click to expand...

    I don't think you're alone. I would normally say "Either you or me is wrong" but I would never write something like that. I don't think there's a "correct" answer here and the best thing to do is just to avoid these constructions, by using a differerent word like you did, or by rephrasing to something like "Either you are wrong or I am" and so on.

    Also, I think it sounds better to say "We can't both be right."
     
    Ooh, that is a toughie (for me, at least). I seem to recall reading somewhere recently that the rule is to use the verb that agrees with the second actor in a compound subject, but Either you are I are wrong sounds better to me. I liked your getting-around-the-problem solution. :)

    Also, I would put "both" before "be": We can't both be right.

    Elisabetta
     
    Thank you for your comments and corrections (I also dropped a z in puzzle).:eek:
    Very interesting link Grive, I think I will be consulting the site very frequently.
    :)
     
    Luis Albornoz said:
    This example really puzles me.

    We can´t be both right. Either you or I (me?) is/ am/ are wrong

    Note: I solved the problem using "must be wrong"
    Click to expand...

    Hi Luis

    The correct answer is : Either you or I am wrong.

    Obs. This answer should be taken into consideration when filling in a grid for FCE exam and others of the kind, as well.

    Regards,
     
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