I need to know whether we should use singular or plural verb when we use "respectively".
Example:
- Bob and Alice has BMW and Lexus car, respectively.
- Bob and Alice have BMW and Lexus car, respectively.
Question: Which one of the above sentences is correct ?
Best Answer
The second, as the subject "Bob and Alice" is plural. The adverb doesn't change that.
It would, of course be possible to rephrase "Bob drives a BMW and Alice (drives) a Lexus". The repeated verb can be dropped.
The adverb "respectively" is sometimes misused, even where it is grammatically correct. Grammarist.com gives examples of good and bad use of "respective".