grammatical number - "Neither Michael nor Albert is correct" or "Neither Michael nor Albert are correct"?


What is the correct sentence?



Neither Michael nor Albert is correct.


Neither Michael nor Albert are correct.




Answer



Neither Michael nor Albert is correct — this is the correct version per prescriptive rules.


Based on my understanding of grammar lessons,




  • When connecting singular nouns, use a singular verb:



    Neither Jacob nor Jane is coming to the party.





  • When connecting plural nouns, use a plural verb:



    Neither the Jones nor the Smiths are coming to the party.





  • When combining singular and plural nouns, the agreement is decided by the noun that is closer to the verb:




    • Neither the boys nor Susan is coming to the party.
      ⇑ Verb determined by Susan.

    • Neither Susan nor the boys are coming.
      ⇑ Verb determined by the boys.



    (Some books say it's better to put the plural noun closer to the verb and use the plural form of the verb.)




References:



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