Use a singular verb after neither when it stands alone or is followed by a singular noun. When neither is paired with nor and the nearest noun or pronoun is plural, use a plural verb. The core rule is proximity: the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.
What Neither Actually Means
Neither comes from Middle English, tracing back to the Old English nāhwæther, meaning “not either.” It has two grammatical roles. As a determiner, it modifies a singular noun: Neither option works. As a pronoun, it stands alone: Neither is correct. In both cases, the word inherently refers to one of two items—not both, but one—which is why the singular is the default. The confusion arises because neither logically involves two things, so speakers often feel a plural verb should follow. That instinct is wrong in standard English when neither is used alone or with a singular noun.
The Basic Rule: Singular by Default
When neither is the subject and there is no nor phrase, use a singular verb. This applies whether neither is a pronoun or a determiner.
- Neither of the answers is correct. (Pronoun; singular verb)
- Neither car was damaged. (Determiner modifying singular noun)
- Neither seems ready to leave. (Pronoun)
The phrase neither of is followed by a plural noun or pronoun (neither of the students), but the verb remains singular because neither is the subject, not the noun after of. This is a common trap: the plural noun students sits right before the verb, but it is the object of the preposition, not the subject.
When Neither…Nor Changes the Verb
The construction neither…nor presents two alternatives, and the verb must agree with the nearer one. This is called the “proximity rule” or “principle of proximity.” It is the only case where a plural verb is correct with neither.
- Neither the manager nor the employees were aware of the policy. (Plural verb because employees is plural and closest)
- Neither the employees nor the manager was aware of the policy. (Singular verb because manager is singular and closest)
This rule applies regardless of which element is logically more important. You cannot choose the verb based on the first item; you must look at the last item before the verb. In formal writing, some style guides recommend rewording to avoid awkwardness, but the proximity rule is universally accepted in modern usage.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The most frequent error is using a plural verb after neither of + plural noun. For example, Neither of the dogs are house-trained is incorrect; it should be is. The plural noun dogs creates a false attraction. Another mistake is using a singular verb after neither…nor when the second item is plural, as in Neither the teacher nor the students was ready. The verb should be were because students is plural and closest.
A third issue involves compound subjects joined by nor where one is singular and one is plural. Writers sometimes default to the first item, but the rule is clear: use the nearest. If the sentence sounds clumsy, rephrase it: Neither the teacher was ready, nor were the students—though this is less common. The simplest fix is to place the plural item last when possible.
Comparing Neither with Either and None
Either follows the same rules as neither. Either of the options is acceptable (singular). Either the manager or the employees were (plural because of proximity). None is different: it can take a singular or plural verb depending on context. None of the water is drinkable (uncountable, singular). None of the cookies are left (plural because the noun is plural and the meaning is “not any”). Unlike neither, none has no strict singular default; it follows the noun’s number.
Another distinction: neither is used for two items only. For three or more, use none or no one. Saying Neither of the three options is incorrect; use None of the three options.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
In informal speech, you will often hear Neither of them are coming. This is widespread but still considered nonstandard. In formal writing—academic papers, business reports, journalism—stick to the singular. The proximity rule for neither…nor is accepted in all registers, but some traditional grammarians prefer the singular verb even when the second item is plural, arguing that neither inherently means “not either one.” However, modern usage guides, including Garner’s Modern English Usage, endorse the proximity rule. If you want to be safe in a formal context, you can rephrase: Neither the manager nor the employees were aware is fine; Neither the manager nor the employees was aware sounds stilted to most readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “neither of them are” ever correct? No, in standard English it is not. Neither is singular, so it should be Neither of them is. The plural verb is a common error in speech, but avoid it in writing.
What about “neither he nor I am”? This is correct because the verb agrees with the nearest pronoun, I, which takes am. Similarly, Neither he nor she is is correct because she is singular.
Can I use a plural verb with “neither” for emphasis? No. Using a plural verb with neither alone is always wrong. If you want to emphasize that both are not involved, use both…not or rephrase: Neither of them is coming already means both are not coming.
Does “neither” always refer to two things? Yes, in standard usage. If you have more than two, use none. Some dialects use neither for more than two, but it is not standard.
Is “neither nor” a double negative? No, neither…nor is a correlative conjunction pair, not a double negative. It simply links two negative alternatives. A double negative would be I don’t want neither, which is nonstandard.
What if the two nouns are both singular but different genders? The verb is still singular: Neither the boy nor the girl was late. Gender does not affect verb agreement.
Practical Tips for Choosing the Right Verb
To decide quickly, follow these steps:
- Identify whether the sentence has nor. If not, use a singular verb.
- If nor is present, look at the noun or pronoun immediately after nor.
- Match the verb to that noun or pronoun in number.
- If the sentence sounds awkward, rephrase it to place a plural item last or avoid the construction.
For example, instead of Neither the director nor the actors was satisfied, write Neither the director nor the actors were satisfied. If you prefer the singular, reorder: Neither the actors nor the director was satisfied. Both are correct; the verb follows the nearest noun.
Remember that neither is singular by nature. The only exception is the neither…nor construction, where proximity overrides that default. Once you internalize that, the choice becomes mechanical.
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