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Sentence Correction 26 / 50

Choose the option that best corrects the grammatical or logical error in the underlined fragment.

Neither the numerous budgetary constraints, intensified by unforeseen market volatility, nor the chief financial officer are entirely responsible for the recent downturn in the company's fiscal outlook, despite public speculation.

A. (No change)
B. is entirely responsible
C. are being entirely responsible
D. have entirely been responsible

1. Identification of Error: Subject-Verb Agreement.
2. Grammatical Rule: When subjects are joined by "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. In this sentence, the closest subject to the verb is "the chief financial officer," which is singular. Therefore, the verb must be singular.
3. Option Elimination:
A. Incorrect — 'are' is a plural verb, but the closest subject 'chief financial officer' is singular.
B. Correct — 'is' is a singular verb that correctly agrees with the singular subject 'chief financial officer'.
C. Incorrect — 'are' is plural, and 'being responsible' implies an ongoing action, which alters the intended meaning of a state of responsibility.
D. Incorrect — 'have' is a plural verb, violating the proximity rule.

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