Either is used to mean “one or the other”. Either is used with or.
Neither is used to mean “not one or the other”. Neither is used with nor.
Singular or plural verb?
The verb agrees with the noun nearest to it in the sentence. If the noun is singular, the verb is singular. If it’s plural, the verb is plural.
Examples
Neither the Ministry nor the Agency has adequate funds.
Neither the Resident Coordinator nor the officials were quoted in the article.
Neither the officials nor the Resident Coordinator was quoted in the article. (NB, this follows the rule but may sound strange with so many people involved, so the first version is more natural.)
If you’re using neither or either on its own, without nor or or, the verb is singular.
Example
Neither of the agencies is withdrawing from the region.
Neither of us has been informed about the decision.
Either workshop is worth attending.
________________________________________________
Author: Carol Waites
Presentation/editing by Christina O’Shaughnessy
https://worldwidewriting.org/
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Carol Waites (PhD)
Email: carolswritingtips@gmail.com
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