Neither of us exist?

[Torsten]

Please activate Javascript in your browser to listen to this audio recording

237 Listened

Download mp3	Click to listen

Neither of us exist or exists?

TOEIC short conversations: Interview request

[Jamie (K)]

"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".

[Torsten]

Please activate Javascript in your browser to listen to this audio recording

224 Listened

Download mp3	Click to listen

Slip of the tongue or intentional mistake?

TOEIC short conversations: Two co-workers are discussing a flight

[Jamie (K)]

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.

[Minh]

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