5 Mistakes To Avoid When Using Neither Are Or Neither Is In Your Writing

The art of crafting clear, concise, and grammatically correct writing is a challenge many face. Among the subtleties of English grammar, the correct use of neither are or neither is stands out as particularly tricky. These phrases are common in sentences where choices are negated, but the proper usage can often elude even the most seasoned writers. In this article, we delve into the five most common mistakes people make when using "neither are" or "neither is" and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Lack of Subject-Verb Agreement

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One of the fundamental rules of English grammar is that subjects must agree with their verbs in number. When using neither, it's often paired with nor, leading to confusion in subject-verb agreement:

• Correct: Neither the book nor the film is entertaining. 🐸
• Incorrect: Neither the book nor the film are entertaining.

<p class="pro-note">📝 Note: "Neither" is always followed by a singular verb when it introduces a single subject, even when paired with "nor."</p>

Mistake 2: Misunderstanding the Subject with Compound Subjects

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When neither is used with compound subjects (two or more subjects joined by "nor"), writers sometimes struggle with whether to use a singular or plural verb:

• Correct: Neither the teacher nor the students are happy with the exam results.
• Incorrect: Neither the teacher nor the students is happy with the exam results.

<p class="pro-note">📝 Note: If "neither" is used with compound subjects connected by "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Here, "students" is plural, so the verb should be plural.</p>

Mistake 3: Confusion with Parallel Structure

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Parallelism ensures that elements in a sentence follow the same grammatical form. However, with "neither" constructions, maintaining this parallel structure can be challenging:

• Correct: Neither the performance nor the costume is impressive. 🌟
• Incorrect: Neither the performance nor the costume are impressive, nor was the lighting.

Here, maintaining parallel structure means each item should follow the same grammatical structure, which in this case means using a singular verb for each subject.

Mistake 4: Overcomplicating with Additional Elements

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Writers sometimes try to include too many elements in a sentence with "neither," leading to confusion:

• Correct: Neither the project nor the presentation is ready for the meeting.
• Incorrect: Neither the project, nor the presentation, nor any of the team members are ready for the meeting.

<p class="pro-note">📝 Note: When including multiple elements with "neither...nor," simplify your sentence to focus on the two primary subjects if possible.</p>

Mistake 5: Using Singular and Plural Nouns Inappropriately

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Sometimes, writers mix singular and plural nouns, making it difficult to choose the correct verb form:

• Correct: Neither the apple nor the oranges are ripe. 🍏🍊
• Incorrect: Neither the apple nor the orange is ripe.

Here, if "oranges" (plural) is the subject closer to the verb, the verb should be plural.

By keeping these common pitfalls in mind and practicing the correct use of neither are and neither is, you can enhance the clarity and grammatical accuracy of your writing. Remember, grammar rules can be intricate, but mastering them can significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively.

In conclusion, the correct usage of neither are or neither is involves careful attention to subject-verb agreement, understanding compound subjects, maintaining parallel structure, simplifying when necessary, and choosing the appropriate verb form based on the subject's number. These guidelines will help you avoid common mistakes and ensure your writing remains clear and professional.

Now, let's delve into some frequently asked questions:

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can "neither" be used without "nor"?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, "neither" can stand alone as a negative adverb, meaning "not either" in response to a question or as part of a sentence. For example, "Neither of these suits my taste."</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Is it ever correct to use "neither are" with a singular subject?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>No, "neither are" is typically used when the subjects following "neither" and "nor" are plural or if one subject is closer to the verb and is plural. With singular subjects, "neither is" should be used.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How do you handle verb agreement when "neither...nor" is used with different subjects?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For example, "Neither the man nor the cats are happy with the food" (cats being plural).</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>