Word Confusion: Neither Is vs Neither Are

Posted February 2, 2021 by kddidit in Author Resources, Self-Editing, Word Confusions, Writing

The neither is / neither are word confusion is all about the singular noun or plural noun, i.e., subject-verb agreement.

On it’s own neither is considered singular as well as an adjective, an adverb, or a determiner. It becomes a pronoun when combined with the singular present (is) or the second person singular present and the plural present (are; was is past) of to be.

Singular vs Plural Words
Singular Plural
everybody
everyone
most (when used with uncountable nouns)
both
most (when used with countable nouns)

Is is the singular present verb tense for to be, are is the second person singular present and the plural present, and was is the simple past of to be.

When one of the subjects is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Neither the lawyer nor the detectives are able to follow the sequence of events.

Legend:

  1. Green indicates the singular
  2. Orange indicates the plural

There was neither cake nor ice cream at the party.

Neither the firemen nor the policemen know him.

Neither the budgies nor the cat have to go.

Neither + Another Negative

Using neither with another negative is poor English — a double negative, even though it is used in many English dialects and some foreign languages. A useful combination if you are creating a character who would use nonstandard English.

I don’t like him neither.

He’s not much good at reading neither.

A more appropriate word to replace neither is either.

I don’t like him either.

He’s not much good at reading either.

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Exploring Later . . .

You may want to explore “None Is vs None Are” and/or “None versus Nun” .

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Word Confusions . . .

. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.

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Neither Is Neither Are
Part of Grammar:
Pronoun + to be
Pronoun:
Not the one nor the other of two people or things

  • Not either
Examples:
Singular Plural
Neither of us is a cardplayer.

Neither one is here.

Neither one of us is capable of driving home.

Neither daughter is a doctor.

Neither the elephant nor the tiger is going to be cut from the second act.

Neither of us are cardplayers.

Neither of them are here.

Neither of us are capable of driving home.

Neither of my daughters are doctors.

Neither the three elephants nor the lone tiger are going to be cut from the second act.

History of the Word:
Middle English, as an alteration (by association with either) of the Old English nawther, a contraction of nāhwæther, from (no) + hwæther (whether).

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C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!

Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.

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Resources for Neither Is vs Neither Are

Hill, Beth. “Either, Neither, and Subject-Verb Agreement.” The Editor’s Blog. 13 Sept 2015. Web. 11 July 2020. <https://theeditorsblog.net/2015/09/12/either-neither-and-subject-verb-agreement/>.

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Pinterest Photo Credits:

My own work.

Revised as of 16 Apr 2024
By: Kathy Davie