<二> 就近原则: 谓语动词的人称和数要与它最邻近的名词或代词保持一致.
1. 由并列结构或连词（either…or， neither…nor，not…but， not only…but also，whether…or, …or…等）连接的并列主语，谓语动词与靠近的那个名词或代词保持一致。

例句：Neither his parents nor Tom is at home. Tom和他的父母都不在家。

2. 在倒装句和there be句型中，谓语动词与后面的第一个主语保持一致。

例句：There is a book and some pens on the desk. 桌子上有一本书和几支钢笔。

There come two buses. 两辆汽车来了。

3. 在定语从句中，关系代词作主语，其谓语动词应与它所指代的先行词保持一致。

在“one of+复数名词+who/that/which”引导的定语从句结构中,从句谓语动词用复数.但当one之前有the only, the first等词表示特指时,从句谓语动词用单数形式.
例句：I know the men who are talking to my father.
He was the only one of the students who was praised by our teacher.
4. 在强调句中，连接代词又在句中作主语，这时它应与被强调的主语保持一致。

例句：It is Mary’s brother who was injured in the car accident. 是Mary的哥哥在车祸中受伤了。