When it comes to subject-verb agreement, few grammatical constructs generate as much confusion and error as neither and either. These two words function as singular subjects, but the verb they take can be singular or plural depending on the context. This article aims to demystify the rules governing neither and either subject-verb agreement to help you use these words correctly and improve your writing`s clarity.
Neither
Neither is a negative word that means “not either of two things.” It signals a lack of preference or agreement between two entities. When neither is used as a subject in a sentence, it takes a singular verb if the entities it refers to are singular. Conversely, it takes a plural verb if the entities are plural.
For example:
– Neither the book nor the movie was good. (Both the book and the movie are singular, so the verb “was” is singular as well.)
– Neither the cats nor the dogs were hungry. (Both cats and dogs are plural, so the verb “were” is plural.)
Note that when neither is followed by a singular noun and “of,” it`s common to see the verb agree with the noun rather than with neither. However, this is considered incorrect. For instance, “Neither of my friends are here” should be “Neither of my friends is here.” The same rule applies to “either of.”
Either
Either is a word that means “one or the other of two things.” It signals a choice or preference between two entities. Like neither, when either is used as a subject, the verb it takes can be singular or plural depending on the context.
For example:
– Either the book or the movie is good. (Both the book and the movie are singular, so the verb “is” is singular as well.)
– Either the cats or the dog is hungry. (Here, “cats” and “dog” are singular and plural, respectively, so we use the singular verb “is.”)
Again, like “neither of,” “either of” can also cause agreement problems. For example, “Either of my friends are invited” should be “Either of my friends is invited.”
Conclusion
To recap, neither and either can be tricky words when it comes to subject-verb agreement. Neither takes a singular verb if the entities it refers to are singular and a plural verb if they`re plural. Either follows the same rule. Both words are also singular themselves. Always make sure to use the correct verb form, even when “of” is involved.
By understanding these rules, you can use neither and either correctly and avoid common mistakes. Remember that clear communication is key when it comes to writing, and mastering subject-verb agreement is an essential component of clear writing.