16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumAgreement with 'neither of'

Standard English Conventions practice question

Neither of the two lifeboats ____ launched in less than ten minutes.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. wasCorrect
  2. B. were
  3. C. are
  4. D. have been

Answer: A. was

'Neither' is singular; 'of the two lifeboats' describes it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. were
'Were' agrees with 'lifeboats', not 'neither'.
C. are
'Are' is plural.
D. have been
'Have been' is plural.

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