Which sentence is grammatically correct?

[Naffa]

Ironically, neither of them was from Bordeaux or Bristol.

Ironically, neither of them were from Bordeaux or Bristol.


I thought the latter, but Microsoft Word thinks the former is correct... I just wanted a second (third, fourth, fifth, etc) opinion. Thanks.

 

[RomanNose]

The latter.

 

[arctine]

Shouldn't it be,

Ironically, neither of them are from Bordeaux or Bristol?

 

[Soundood]

Ironically, neither of them were from Bordeaux or Bristol.

'was' being a singular expression, in good grammer you would use 'were' to properly express the plural, that is indicated in the previous words 'neither' and 'them'

microsoft word is full of ****

 

[BloodyL]

was = singular
were = plural

He was from timbucktoo instead.
They were from timbucktoo instead.

 

[Castiel]

Shouldn't it be,

Ironically, neither of them are from Bordeaux or Bristol?

That would depend on the Tense.

OP, You treat 'Neither' as a singular (as in neither one) so Word is correct.

 

[asim18]

"Neither" is referring to two things. So "were" is the correct word, not "was".

Word regularly gets mixed up. Use your own judgement.

 

[Castiel]

Neither is referring to two things. So "were" is the correct word.

"neither" is referring to one or the other....so it is singular.

For example if we expand the sentence:

"Ironically Neither one was from Bristol or Bordeaux", you can see that the use of neither indicates a singular......neither one or the other...etc.

The use of neither denotes the context of the sentence, so it should be

"Ironically, neither of them was from Bristol or Bordeaux"

However, it might be better worded thus:

"Ironically, neither one was from Bristol or Bordeaux"


The normal form is to treat 'Neither' as singular even if followed by a plural noun, pronoun verb etc.....

I wouldn't worry too much about it though as you will see both forms so often that it is academic these days.

 

[Naffa]

"Ironically, neither one was from Bristol or Bordeaux"

That sounds like a safe choice, thanks Castiel.

 

[Castiel]

That sounds like a safe choice, thanks Castiel.

You are welcome.

 

[asim18]

After his thorough expanding, I now also agree with Castiel

 

[G-MAN2004]

grammer

 

[Squark]

So what's so bloomin' ironic about not being from Bristol or Bordeaux?

 

[DanielMMS]

The former.

And it should be "Which sentence is correct grammatically?"

 

[Macro]

Shows what I know, I'd have gone for "Neither of them was from Bordeaux or Bristol ironically".

I'm off to the thickys section

 

[Destination]

So what's so bloomin' ironic about not being from Bristol or Bordeaux?

I believe it was to do with breast size, and the amounts of red wine she consumed.

 

[mollymoo]

"neither" is referring to one or the other....so it is singular.

For example if we expand the sentence:

"Ironically Neither one was from Bristol or Bordeaux", you can see that the use of neither indicates a singular......neither one or the other...etc.

The use of neither denotes the context of the sentence, so it should be

"Ironically, neither of them was from Bristol or Bordeaux"

However, it might be better worded thus:

"Ironically, neither one was from Bristol or Bordeaux"


The normal form is to treat 'Neither' as singular even if followed by a plural noun, pronoun verb etc.....

I wouldn't worry too much about it though as you will see both forms so often that it is academic these days.

Did you eat an encyclopedia this morning, jees.

 

[Rachmaninov]

I would say both are gramatically correct but the second is just better English.

 

[cheechm]

Both are correct. Technically the first one "complies" with the rules, however the second one is colloquial English, hence why it sounds correct.

 

[albert]

Does this thread come with free Pro Plus?