"...,neither of which is necessary."

Question

Expert help please.Which is correct?1) There are two audio files in the directory, neither of which isnecessary.2) There are two audio files in the directory, neither of which arenecessary.I believe that number one is correct.Thanks

Usenet · Accepted Answer

The inimitable DJ (Email Removed) stated one day
[nq:1]Expert help please. Which is correct? 1) There are two audio files in the directory, neither of which is necessary. 2) There are two audio files in the directory, neither of which are necessary. I believe that number one is correct.[/nq]
You believe correctly.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Expert help please. Which is correct? 1) There are two audio files in the directory, neither of which is necessary. 2) There are two audio files in the directory, neither of which are necessary. I believe that number one is correct.[/nq]
http://www.bartleby.com/64/C001/038.html
The American Heritage® Book of English Usage.
A Practical and Authoritative Guide to Contemporary English. 1996.
(Neither)
singular or plural. The traditional rule also holds that neither is grammatically singular: Neither
candidate is having an easy time with the press.
However, it is often used with a plural verb,
especially when followed by of and a plural: Neither of the candidates are really expressing their own
views.

Best Donna Richoux

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Expert help please. Which is correct? 1) There are two audio files in the directory, neither of which is necessary. 2) There are two audio files in the directory, neither of which are necessary. I believe that number one is correct.[/nq]
I believe you are right. "Neither" takes a singular verb.

Be aware, however, that in recent years many people, including many native speakers of the language, have taken to saying and writing plural verbs after "neither," as in your second example. I am not recommending that you do this yourself, but don't be surprised if you see or hear it.

Bob Lieblich
English, she is slippery

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Expert help please. Which is correct? 1) There are two audio files in the directory, neither of which is necessary. 2) There are two audio files in the directory, neither of which are necessary. I believe that number one is correct.[/nq]
You are correct, sir!
(or madam, as the case may be)
The expanded way to see it clearly:
'neither one of which is' the verb refers back to 'one'; even if that word is only implied by the structure ('neither of which).
~~denny~~
Some people are offence kleptomaniacs whenever they see an offence that isn't nailed down, they take it ;-) David C. Pugh, in alt.callahans

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Expert help please. Which is correct? 1) There are two ... which are necessary. I believe that number one is correct.[/nq]
[nq:1]I believe you are right. "Neither" takes a singular verb. Be aware, however, that in recent years many people, including ... example. I am not recommending that you do this yourself, but don't be surprised if you see or hear it.[/nq]
Some words are singular by definition, but are construed as plural by some speakers in some contexts. You can read a relevant usage note from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition at this site: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=every

It says in part:
"Thus it is not idiomatic to say Every man left; he took his raincoat with him. Nor can one say No one could be seen, could he?"

Thus, it is becoming common to hear singular words used as plurals in some contexts. You should never expect to hear a sentence such as "Every student came to class and he ate his lunch."

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]You should never expect to hear a sentence such as "Every student came to class and he ate his lunch."[/nq]
Of course not. The "he" is redundant. It should be "Every student came to class and ate his lunch."

Alec McKenzie

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]You should never expect to hear a sentence such as "Every student came to class and he ate his lunch."[/nq]
[nq:1]Of course not. The "he" is redundant. It should be "Every student came to class and ate his lunch."[/nq]
My son has been having a lot of trouble with bullies. Every student came to class and ate his lunch.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]You should never expect to hear a sentence such as "Every student came to class and he ate his lunch."[/nq]
[nq:1]Of course not. The "he" is redundant. It should be "Every student came to class and ate his lunch."[/nq]
I bet he was annoyed when he found out what they'd done.

Rob Bannister

"...,neither of which is necessary."

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions