Neither of the five boys was selected vs Neither of the five boys were selected

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Neither of the five boys was selected' is correct when referring to the group as a singular entity, while 'Neither of the five boys were selected' is correct when emphasizing the individual boys within the group.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 822 views

This phrase is correct when referring to the group as a singular entity.

"Neither of the five boys was selected"

This phrase is used when treating the group of five boys as a single unit. It emphasizes the collective nature of the group.

Examples:

Neither of the five boys was selected to represent the school at the competition.

Show examples from the web [+]

Subsequently one of the five sampled Union producers withdrew its cooperation.
Well, after the five boys were found dead, the little girl went missing and we looked for days.
Each of the five importers included in the sample submitted a full questionnaire reply.
Hello and welcome to the Pageant of the Five Food Groups.
In July 1991 the Italian State concluded identical agreements with each of the five regional companies of the Tirrenia Group.
All the heads of the five families.
Nothing Mr Schulz has just said would help any of the five million presently unemployed in his country.
The trial of the five Cubans was held in Miami.
I don't know any of the five ladies.
Sight is one of the five senses.
Judicial proceedings have been initiated against him and two other of the five senior FARDC officers.
The Committee identifies a number of specific priorities under each of the five strategic priority areas.
Four of the five disappeared without a trace.
Eerie but awesome look-alikes for four of the five members of our little group.
The House is deeply concerned about the state of health of the five monks arrested on 23 November 2005 at Drepung Monastery.
He's corresponded with at least four of the five victims.
That's the last of the five candidates.
Boss, we couldn't find the owners of the five houses.
Was exponentially increased when he became one of the Five.
The powers of the Five, to be more accurate.

Alternatives:

None of the five boys was selected

This phrase is correct when emphasizing the individual boys within the group.

"Neither of the five boys were selected"

This phrase is used when focusing on the fact that none of the individual boys were selected. It highlights the separate identities of the boys.

Examples:

Neither of the five boys were selected for the team.

Show examples from the web [+]

Well, after the five boys were found dead, the little girl went missing and we looked for days.
The further investigation showed that the accumulated production of the five Community producers which were selected for the sample and fully cooperated in the investigation was around 48 % of the Community industry's production of farmed salmon supporting the complaint.
Subsequently one of the five sampled Union producers withdrew its cooperation.
The five major importers in terms of volume of imports were selected for the sample.
Each of the five importers included in the sample submitted a full questionnaire reply.
Hello and welcome to the Pageant of the Five Food Groups.
In July 1991 the Italian State concluded identical agreements with each of the five regional companies of the Tirrenia Group.
All the heads of the five families.
Nothing Mr Schulz has just said would help any of the five million presently unemployed in his country.
The trial of the five Cubans was held in Miami.
I don't know any of the five ladies.
Sight is one of the five senses.
Judicial proceedings have been initiated against him and two other of the five senior FARDC officers.
The Committee identifies a number of specific priorities under each of the five strategic priority areas.
Four of the five disappeared without a trace.
Eerie but awesome look-alikes for four of the five members of our little group.
The House is deeply concerned about the state of health of the five monks arrested on 23 November 2005 at Drepung Monastery.
He's corresponded with at least four of the five victims.
That's the last of the five candidates.
Boss, we couldn't find the owners of the five houses.

Alternatives:

None of the five boys were selected

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Neither of the five boys was selected vs Neither of the five boys were selected