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Grammar Central
https://archive.holyworlds.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2791
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Author:  Leandra Falconwing [ April 7th, 2011, 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Grammar Central

I noticed that the Lay vs. Lie thread got quite a few comments related to other commonly confused words and grammar questions. So! Here's a place for all of that. Ask your questions, explain how to tell which word to use, and everything else grammar related.

Author:  Leandra Falconwing [ April 7th, 2011, 3:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grammar Central

I pulled this discussion from the Lay vs. Lie thread:

BushMaid wrote:
Leandra Falconwing wrote:
Lady Eruwaedhiel wrote:
I always have trouble with "is" and "are". As in "neither of us are going anywhere" or "neither of us is going anywhere". Which is correct? :? My parents don't agree on it either.


I believe it's "neither of us is going anywhere." The verb refers back to the "neither" not the prepositional phrase "of us." *is a grammar freak* :)


Hrm, I thought this went the other way. Because 'neither' is referring to more than one, as the 'us' indicates, I would have thought it "neither of us are going anywhere". I should study up on this! :D


I looked it up in a grammar reference book. I'm not sure how helpful it was, except it did give me an idea. The verb needs to agree with the subject, and in this particular example the subject is implied, not stated. If you write it as "Neither one of us is going anywhere," it's pretty clear that the subject is singular. I can't currently think of a way to write it as a plural subject and still keep the "neither." :? In my mind at least, neither is always used with a singular subject. Let me know if you look it up and come up with a different conclusion. :)

Author:  Calenmiriel [ April 7th, 2011, 10:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grammar Central

Thanks, Leandra!

"We" and "us" is a hard one, my goodness!

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