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MarcusLutrell

P6 English

Question post on Sat, 09/09/2017 2:28pm

I have a grammar question that needs confirmation.

1) Either of the twins is or are in the room.

Either refers to singular hence the answer should be “is” right?

Tq!

Answer

MoehMAX · Answer 1 · Post on Tue, 12/12/2017 2:47pm

The correct version is “Either of the twins is in the room.” When neither or either are used by themselves in a sentence, they take the singular.

However, when neither-nor or either-or is used, the number of the verb is determined by the second subject. For example,

Neither the coach nor the players have arrived.
Neither the players nor the coach has arrived.

happyenglishtutorinsg · Answer 2 · Post on Fri, 23/07/2021 5:50pm

happyenglishtutorinsg Post on Fri, 23/07/2021 5:50pm

Hello there, the image above explains this grammar concept easily. Hope this helps!

happyenglishtutorinsg · Answer 3 · Post on Fri, 23/07/2021 5:50pm

happyenglishtutorinsg

Post on Fri, 23/07/2021 5:50pm

Hello there, the image above explains this grammar concept easily. Hope this helps!

alfretztay · Answer 4 · Post on Sat, 09/09/2017 3:17pm

“It will be helpful to note that even though neither and either are singular, in informal English they can sometimes take on a plural verb when they are followed by prepositional phrases beginning with of. (In more formal settings they will retain their singular status regardless of the prepositional phrase.)

Neither of the twins are inclined to give thought to what the people outside of their bubble are thinking.

The correct version is “neither of the twins is allergic to penicillin.” When neither or either are used by themselves in a sentence, they take the singular.

However, when neither-nor or either-or is used, the number of the verb is determined by the second subject. For example,

Neither the coach nor the players have arrived.
Neither the players nor the coach has arrived.”

MarcusLutrell · Answer 5 · Post on Sat, 09/09/2017 4:25pm

So in this instance the answer is: Either the twins “are” in the room. Correct?

Tq for your help 🙂

alfretztay · Answer 6 · Post on Sat, 09/09/2017 5:09pm

Based on the correct version is ‘neither of the twins is allergic to penicillin’ when neither or either are used by themselves in a sentence, they take the singular, it should be “either of the twins is in the room.”

MarcusLutrell · Answer 7 · Post on Sat, 09/09/2017 11:53pm

MarcusLutrell Post on Sat, 09/09/2017 11:53pm

Tq!

alfretztay · Answer 8 · Post on Sun, 10/09/2017 12:36pm

alfretztay Post on Sun, 10/09/2017 12:36pm

Don’t mention.