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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #127002: Either - neither + singular or plural
    > Other English exercises on the same topics: Adjectives | Conjunctions | Plural | Pronouns [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Plural - Plural forms - Comparative of superiority - Adjectives and prepositions - Order of adjectives - Superlative + and adjective - Countable or Uncountable? - Adjectives-ing and ed
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    Either - neither + singular or plural


    EITHER/ NEITHER... "again?!..." you must be thinking!   Well... Yes! Dictated by

     

     

     

    necessity, this lesson will insist on "numbers" (singular or plural) following these tool-words.

    These words are multifunctional: they may be determiners in front of a noun,

    or nouns, indefinite pronouns  or conjunctions introducing a clause.               

                                  

     

    1) EITHER means "one thing or the other", or "one person or the other".

    It's followed by a noun in the singular and needs a verb in the singular.

    Either way


    - Either room, the blue one or the white one, suits me. Take the one you want. (indefinite determiner)

    - Fish or meat? It doesn't matter! I can have either! (indefinite pronoun)

     

     

    2) EITHER + singular: one or the other: either side of the road :

    The plural is only possible when followed by of in front of a pronoun, a possessive adjective: 

    'the', 'these' or 'those': either of them, either of my children... 

     

               
            either... or...                      either... or.../neither... nor...




    3) Combined with 'not':  NOT ... EITHER => (not) EITHER : NEGATIVE FORM;

    - He doesn't eat fish or meat, and I don't  either.

     

     

    4) EITHER...  OR... /// NEITHER... NOR...here, you have to choose between two options:

    If the two options are in the singular, the verb must be in the singular.

    If the second option is in the plural, the verb must agree in number (to be put in the plural= rule of "proximity").

    - Neither my mother, nor my father agrees to let me have a motorbike

    - Neither the teacher, nor the students were happy with the chosen solution 

     

    Therefore, you need logic, and sometimes a little thinking!  You should be alright... Go for it!  

     



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    English exercise "Either - neither + singular or plural" created by here4u with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from here4u]
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    1. You can stay or leave ! Either option possible. Therefore you’re free to choose, but do it quickly…



    2. Neither the policemen nor the detectives the name of the culprit.



    3. 'The striped tie, or the light blue one… Either you… and they look very smart!'



    4. Neither of the boys correctly enough to be a good orator.



    5. 'Either beef or mutton on the menu… You’ll have what you prefer!'



    6. Either the white shirt, or the light grey one formal enough for the meeting, but please, don’t wear the checkered one. It’s too casual.



    7. Neither Maddie nor Amanda driving lessons.



    8. Peter, Kyle, either of you have a phone to lend me? My battery is flat.



    9. Neither of these two pens correctly. I’ll buy another one.



    10. Either the chairs or the boxes to be moved if you want to open the couch tonight.



     

         








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