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Neither of the boys was chosen vs Neither of the boys were chosen

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Neither of the boys was chosen' is correct when referring to a singular entity (neither), while 'Neither of the boys were chosen' is correct when referring to a plural entity (boys).

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 2517 views

Neither of the boys was chosen

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a singular entity.

This phrase is used when referring to a singular entity, such as 'neither of the boys' in this case. 'Was' agrees with the singular subject 'neither'.

Examples:

  • Neither of the boys was chosen to represent the school.
  • Name the boy chosen for the 1948 newsreel to demonstrate its operation.
  • The chosen boy was encouraged to share with Father Jensen.
  • If you wanted simple, you should've chosen the boy next door.
  • One of the boys was insisting he knew you.
  • One of the boys was onto this wild party.
  • One of the boys was named Langston Hughes.
  • You're a very lucky boy to have been chosen.
  • One of the boys was reluctant to undress.
  • We just talked, about him being chosen as Boy Bishop.
  • If a boy has been chosen... a boy shall be king.
  • the face of the boy was close to the mien.
  • The sedation of the boy was unfortunate, comma, but in his condition, as necessary as his witness to the work.
  • And the second group that we've followed was a group of boys from Boston's poorest neighborhoods, boys who were chosen for the study specifically because they were from some of the most troubled and disadvantaged families in the Boston of the 1930s.
  • the face of the boy was close to the mien.
  • The boy was never the same again.
  • The boy was seen stumbling down the street.
  • Angie says the boy was Asian.
  • Took a lot of pictures of the boys in Sea Brigade.
  • But perhaps this swarm comes... because of the boy.
  • Some of the boys have been... talking.

Alternatives:

  • None of the boys was chosen
  • Not one of the boys was chosen
  • No boy was chosen

Neither of the boys were chosen

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a plural entity.

This phrase is used when referring to a plural entity, such as 'boys' in this case. 'Were' agrees with the plural subject 'boys'.

Examples:

  • Neither of the boys were chosen to participate in the competition.
  • Name the boy chosen for the 1948 newsreel to demonstrate its operation.
  • If you wanted simple, you should've chosen the boy next door.
  • And the second group that we've followed was a group of boys from Boston's poorest neighborhoods, boys who were chosen for the study specifically because they were from some of the most troubled and disadvantaged families in the Boston of the 1930s.
  • Apparently what happened is some of the boys were teasing them so Shay punched Iving in the stomach.
  • Me and some of the boys were out huntin'.
  • The chosen boy was encouraged to share with Father Jensen.
  • You're a very lucky boy to have been chosen.
  • We just talked, about him being chosen as Boy Bishop.
  • If a boy has been chosen... a boy shall be king.
  • Now, I've got an inside man at Immigration... working on which of tlhese guys Ihad sons... and if any of the boys were crack slhots.
  • The bodies of the boys were found out by the register, the two girls were found in the back office.
  • Sure none of the boys were on the plane with you, or saw you get on?
  • Even when the boys were killed...
  • Both the politsai and the boys were Ukrainian.
  • The ones that took the Boy were probably skirmishers.
  • We were so worried when the boys were writing it.
  • Turns out the boys weren't the problem at all.
  • But the boys were not ready yet.
  • Number of wittnesses gave evidence the boys were gulled into the dangerous machine.
  • He says he and the boy were Japanese in an earlier life.

Alternatives:

  • None of the boys were chosen
  • Not any of the boys were chosen
  • No boys were chosen

Related Comparisons

Neither of the five boys was selected vs Neither of the five boys were selected neither of our was present vs neither of our was presence was the one chosen vs was the one choosing not one of the eggs was broken vs not one of the eggs was brokened Of the boys John is taller vs Of the boys John is more tall Neither of the children was injured. vs Neither of the children were injured.

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