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 #2 (permalink) Sat Nov 29, 2008 14:23 pm Neither of us exist? |
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| "Neither" is supposed to be singular, but people frequently make the mistake of declining the verb for the nearest noun or pronoun, instead of for the real subject. In this case, the nearest word is "us", which is plural, so the speaker (or writer) mistakenly used "exist" for a plural subject, rather than "exists" to go with "neither". |
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Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 5334
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA
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| #3 (permalink) Sat Nov 29, 2008 14:32 pm Neither of us exist? |
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Slip of the tongue or intentional mistake?
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary |
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Torsten
Learning Coach
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Location: EU
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| #4 (permalink) Sat Nov 29, 2008 19:18 pm Neither of us exist? |
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| I think the writers made the mistake and it got all the way through to the actress's reading of it. Another possibility is that the actress made the mistake and that it wasn't worthwhile recording the dialogue again. There are a lot of ways it could have happened. |
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Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 5334
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA
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| #5 (permalink) Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:40 am Neither of us exist? |
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Hi Tortsen and Jamie,
According to the OALD, the both singular and plural verb forms are correct. However, the plural verb form is more informal.
1) Neither of us exist! (informal)
2) Neither of us exists. (formal)
Both are acceptable.
Minh |
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Minh
I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Posts: 40
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