Subject Verb Agreement in Spanish When Using 'Or" (O)

Question

Hello all

Is it:

Usted o alguien que usted nombre pueden hacer una apelación.

or Usted o alguien que usted nombre puede hacer una apelación.

These can be tricky in english too, when you have intervening phrases between the subject and the verb. Also when you use "'or."

I know that in English if you use a compound subject joined by "or" the verb takes the singular form.

I think it would be that way in spanish too, no?

Answer 1

The rules are rather complex, but in this case both are correct according to the grammars.

Answer 2

I can see there is going to be a lot of questions about this, so I'll try to outline the rules. I hope I won't forget anything because, as I said before, the rules are complex.

First of all, it is important to note that the "o" in Spanish is used to mean "this or that", but also "this, that or both", ie. it does not necessarily exclude all the elements.

"ADVANCED" RULES (Not for beginners!!!)

Disclaimer: apart from the position of the verb, most of the criteria used to determine the agreement are semantic, and therefore it can be very subjective at times.

1) If "o" refers to two identical options, the verb must be in singular: Clack Kent o Supermán es el personaje principal.

2) If the choices appears after the verb, the agreement is done with closest item, or in plural if one of the choices is plural: Ganaréis/Ganarás tú o tus amigos. Ganaréis/Ganarán tus amigos o tú. Ganará Juan o Pepe. In this position the singular is often preferred for several singular options. If the choices are clearly individual and mutually exclusive, the verb agrees in singular: ¿Esto te lo dijo tu padre o tu madre?

3) In general, if the choices appear before the verb, the verb tends to be in plural, but not always (see next point).

4) If you just give a list of possible options and the precise choice is indifferent, the verb can be singular or plural. Un perro o un gato terminará/teminarán comiendose eso. Un abogado o un ingeniero suele/suelen ganar mucho dinero. When we use "o A or B", the singular is more common.

5) If the options are inclusive, ie. all options are equally valid, even at the same time, or you are referring to several items a group, the verb must be in plural: El oro o el hierro son dos dos de las muchas opciones que tenemos. Los pobres o los que tienen mala suerte siempre son los que pagan. If the choices appear modified by a plural adjective, the verb must also be in plural.

In the sentence in question, I would have used the plural, personally.

P.D. I hope I did not make any silly mistake and I didn't forget anything essential.

Fascinating! You are the source of all wisdom. ;) - revmaf, Aug 30, 2010

Answer 3

Thank you to all - and esp. to Lazarus. i did not realize that in spanish "'o"' can be "'this that or both. "'

I am a grammar goddess too but in English - so i appreciated the insights into the advanced topics and the examples. Grammar is my hobby I absolutely love it so i love those types of dixscussions

I know grammar well in spanish too but not as well as on my Eng. level - I am not Lazarus' level in spanish grammar

thanks again

And yes to the person who pointed out if the "'or"' refers to plural objects the sentence can take a plural - that is right. forgot about that one

B

Answer 4

I know that in English if you use a compound subject joined by "or" the verb takes the singular form.

Since when? Not if the parts of the compound subject are plurals.

Stocks are a great investment.

Bonds are a great investment.

Stock or bonds are a great investment.

Answer 5

Lazarus is a grammar god, so I´ll go by whatever he says. This is the difference between learning a language by studing it and by acquiring it.

So I would say, in my limited grammar study, that if you separate the phrase "o alguien que usted nombre" with commas, then the verb, Poder, should be singular. If the phrase is not separated, then it should be plural.

Answer 6

Lazarus says both are right, and I take his word for things in these cases, but, as long as both are right, I would also mention that, at least to me, puede sounds much more natural than pueden to me.

Answer 7

Alguien que Ud. nombre puede (I'd use the singular verb)

Answer 8

I think the right form is the second : Usted o alguien que usted nombre puede hacer una apelación.

That's because the word "puede" refers to someone in singular, that could make the appeal.

Answer 9

Usted o alguien nombrado por usted puede hacer una apelación.

"You or someone named by you can make an appeal." You don't have to make the verb plural.