Paano ba ang tamang paggamit ng Either/Neither?

Alamin kung paano sagutan ng tama ang mga tanong tungkol sa Either/Neither

Simplified Rules in Using Either/Neither in Grammar

1. When using “either…or” or “neither…nor,” make the verb agree with the subject that is closest to it.

Example: “Either the boys or the girl runs every day.” (“girl” is singular, so “runs”)
Example: “Neither the girl nor the boys run every day.” (“boys” is plural, so “run”)

2. When “either” or “neither” is used alone, treat it as singular.

Example: “Either of the choices is fine.”
Example: “Neither of the options is good.”

3. Use “either” to talk about one of two positive choices.

Example: “You can either stay here or come with us.”

4. Use “neither” to talk about rejecting both options.

Example: “Neither answer is correct.”

5. Start sentences with “either” or “neither” to show choices or exclusions.

Example: “Either you go, or you stay.”
Example: “Neither of us is attending the meeting.”

6. If “either” or “neither” is followed by “of,” use a singular verb.

Example: “Either of the two roads leads to the city.”
Example: “Neither of the books is interesting.”



Practice Test in Either/Neither - Civil Service Exam

1.Neither of the candidates (was, were) qualified for the position.

Answer: was

Explanation: “Neither” is used with a singular verb when referring to two things or people, as it implies ‘not one and not the other.’

2. Either Sam or his brothers (is, are) going to sell the car.

Answer: are

Explanation: When “either/or” or “neither/nor” link two subjects, the verb agrees with the closer subject. Here, “his brothers” is plural, so the verb is plural.

3. Neither of the reports (contains, contain) the necessary data.

Answer: contains

Explanation: “Neither of” is followed by a singular verb when it precedes a plural noun indicating that none of the individual elements in the group performs the action.

4. Do either of you (have, has) the time?

Answer: have

Explanation: When “either” is used in a question format addressing multiple people, it is treated as plural, especially with “you.”

5. Neither Italy nor France (is, are) hosting the next conference.

Answer: is

Explanation: Similar to rule 2, the verb should agree with the subject closer to it. “France” is singular, so the verb is singular.

6. Either my manager or my colleagues (reports, report) on the progress tomorrow.

Answer: report

Explanation: The verb agrees with “my colleagues” which is closer to it and is plural.

7. Neither the manager nor his assistant (was, were) available to speak.

Answer: was

Explanation: The verb should agree with the closer subject, “his assistant,” which is singular.

8. It is surprising that neither the laptops nor the smartphone (is, are) charged.

Answer: is

Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearest subject, “the smartphone,” which is singular.

9. Either you or I (am, are) responsible for locking up.

Answer: am

Explanation: The verb should agree with the closer subject when “I” is part of the subjects joined by “either/or.”

10. Either solution (works, work) for us.

Answer: works

Explanation: “Either” used with a singular noun will take a singular verb, implying one or the other, not both.

11. Neither of the theories (explains, explain) the phenomena completely.

Answer: explains

Explanation: “Neither” is singular, so it takes a singular verb even though “theories” is plural.

12. Either the CEO or the board members (has, have) to make the final decision.

Answer: have

Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearer subject, “the board members,” which is plural.

13. Neither the teacher nor the students (was, were) prepared for the unexpected exam.

Answer: were

Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearer subject, “the students,” which is plural.

14. Neither of the solutions (seems, seem) to be effective in the long run.

Answer: seems

Explanation: “Neither” is singular, so it takes a singular verb.

15.  Either the documents or the folder (is, are) missing from the desk.

Answer: is

Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearer subject, “the folder,” which is singular.

16. Neither the manager nor his assistants (know, knows) how to operate the new system.

Answer: know

Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearer subject, “his assistants,” which is plural.

17. Either of the proposals (is, are) acceptable to the committee.

Answer: is

Explanation: “Either” is singular, so it takes a singular verb.

18. Neither of the authors (was, were) available for the book signing event.

Answer: was

Explanation: “Neither” is singular, so it takes a singular verb.

19. Neither the employees nor the supervisor (has, have) received the new guidelines.

Answer: has

Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearer subject, “the supervisor,” which is singular.

20. Either the results or the methodology (is, are) flawed in the study.

Answer: is

Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearer subject, “the methodology,” which is singular.