_Were_
numbered is therefore improper. It should be, "_was_ numbered," in the
singular, according to the Note. (Repeat it.)
When benignity and gentleness reign in our breasts, every person and
every occurrence are beheld in the most favorable light.
RULE IX.
Two or more nouns, or nouns and pronouns, in the _singular_ number,
connected by disjunctive conjunctions, must have verbs, nouns, and
pronouns, agreeing with them in the _singular_; as, "Neither John _nor_
James _has_ learned _his_ lesson."
NOTE 1. When singular pronouns, or a noun and pronoun, of different
persons, are disjunctively connected, the verb must agree, in
person, with that which is placed nearest to it; as, "Thou _or_ I
_am_ in fault; I _or_ thou _art_ to blame; I, _or_ thou, _or_ he,
_is_ the author of it." But it would be better to say "Either I am
to blame or thou art," &c.
2. When a disjunctive occurs between a singular noun or pronoun and
a plural one, the verb must agree with the plural noun or pronoun,
which should generally be placed next to the verb; as, "Neither
poverty _nor riches_ were injurious to him;" "I _or_ they were
offended by it.
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