Tuesday, July 15, 2008

"Neither...."

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: What verb follows "Neither"?

Answer: "Neither is...." "Neither of them is going." "Neither" is singular; verb is singular.

"Neither...nor...." "Neither train nor plane is leaving." Both subjects singular. Singular verb.
"Neither...nor...." "Neither trains nor planes are leaving." Both subjects plural. Verb is plural.

Mixed Subjects--AVOID!
"Neither...nor...." "Neither train nor planes are leaving." Second subject is plural; requires plural verb.
"Neither...nor...." Neither planes nor the train is leaving." Second subject is singular; requires singular verb. Awkward. Avoid.

Better: "Neither planes nor trains are leaving." Subjects plural; verb is plural.
Better: "Neither plane nor train is leaving." Subjects singular; verb is singular.

Rating of Distractibility = (***). "Neither is...." "Neither plane nor train is leaving." "Neither planes nor trains are leaving."

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