Question:
Select the sentence with the correct grammatical usage.
Select the sentence with the correct grammatical usage.
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To avoid confusion, mentally cross out the phrase starting with "of". Read it as: "Neither [was] ready for the exam." It makes the correct singular verb choice obvious!
Updated On: May 30, 2026
- Neither of the boys were ready for the exam.
- Neither of the boys was ready for the exam.
- Neither of the boys are ready for the exam.
- Neither of the boys have been ready for the exam.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question deals with subject-verb agreement rules, specifically when using distributive pronouns like "neither", "either", or "each".
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The pronoun "neither" means "not one nor the other of two." It is inherently singular in formal grammar and must be paired with a singular verb.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
In the sentence structure "Neither of the [plural noun]", the actual subject is Neither, not the plural noun that follows the preposition "of" (boys).
• Because "Neither" is singular, it requires the singular past-tense verb was.
• Options (a), (c), and (d) use plural verbs ("were", "are", "have been"), creating an error in subject-verb agreement.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The grammatically correct sentence is: "Neither of the boys was ready for the exam."
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