Forms of verb after 'Neither ...... nor'

[Barman]

In general, if I want to join one singular subject to one plural subject in a sentence by correlative conjunction 'neither ..... nor' or not only ...... but also', the verb should agree with the noun that is closest to the verb. For example:

1) Neither I nor my friends like swimming.

2) Not only we but also my mother likes swimming.

In this context, is it grammatically correct that if either of the subjects in a sentence is plural, then the verb should always be plural?

 

[jutfrank]

Who told you the verb should agree with the closest noun? Was it a teacher or did you read this rule in a grammar book?

 

[Barman]

Who told you the verb should agree with the closest noun? Was it a teacher or did you read this rule in a grammar book?

My teacher taught me that.