Discussion
In the sentence below, a part is printed in bold. Choose the alternative that improves it. If the sentence needs no change, choose ‘No improvement’.
Neither of the two candidates are suitable for the post.
Answer: A
Correct answer: is
Neither is singular and governs the verb: neither of the two candidates is suitable. The plural candidates is the object of the preposition of, and no noun inside a prepositional phrase can be the subject of a sentence. Deleting the phrase leaves neither is suitable, which settles it. The same holds for either, each, every one, none of the two, everyone, anybody and nobody. A different rule governs neither…nor joining two subjects: there the verb agrees with the nearer one, so neither the chairman nor the members were present is correct. The two constructions look alike and are constantly confused, so it is worth noticing whether of or nor follows. None is the one flexible word in the group, taking either verb according to sense - but none of the two is always singular.
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