either of you

Your first remark is correct and therefore your second remark cannot be. Try, "In the above sentence, 'needs' must always be used." "Either" is singular, as you know.

AnonymousYour first remark is correct and therefore your second remark cannot be. Try, "In the above sentence, 'needs' must always be used." "Either" is singular, as you know.

Thanks, Anon.
How about:

I'll lend you my celphone, if either of you need(s) to make a call. (There are three persons in the conversation.)

The person said

Hi,

Here is an extract from MSN - Encarta Dictionary:

"Either is normally used with a singular verb: Has either of you been to Paris? Either Lee or David is responsible. Informally, however, the plural is used when the choices are regarded collectively rather than individually, and it is quite natural t

Hi LiJ, I was Anon,

Hoa Thai's reply pretty well sums it up. The operative expression is, "informally, however," which makes a mess of your concers about second and third person. Formally, "either" is singular and the number of the modifiers doesn't change that. ("Number" is singular too!) So formally, yes, "either of you need" is always incorrect. I'm not sure how to reply to your q

I read Avangi's and Hoa's comments. I understand how the word 'either' works.

Thanks
LiJ