"Truth, and truth only, is worth seeking for its own sake." Another
case of emphasis.
Each, Every, No, Not
When two or more nominatives are qualified by one of the foregoing
words the verb must be singular.
"Every limb and feature appears with its respective grace."-- Steele.
"Not a bird, not a beast, not a tree, not a shrub were to be seen."
Use was instead of were.
Poetical Construction
When the verb separates its nominatives, it agrees with that which
precedes it.
"Forth in the pleasing spring, Thy beauty walks, thy tenderness, and
love."-- Thomson.
Or, Nor, As well as, But, Save
When two or more nominatives in the singular are separated by such
words as the preceding, the verb must be singular.
"Veracity, as well as justice, is to be our rule of life."-- Butler.
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"Not a weed nor a blade of grass were to be seen." Change were to was.
"Nothing but wailings were heard." Transpose. "Nothing was heard but
wailings." The verb should be was.
"Either one or the other of them are in the wrong." The verb should be
is.
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