The Grammar Riddle: 'Neither of You Knows' or 'Neither of You Know'?

In the realm of English grammar, there are countless nuances that test even the most experienced linguists and writers. One puzzling question that often arises is whether the correct form of a sentence should be 'Neither of you knows' or 'Neither of you know'. This article will explore the logic behind these forms, offer clear guidance on which is correct, and delve into the grammatical principles at play.

The Perplexing Case of 'Neither of You'

The sentence in question is: 'Neither of you know knows English'

Initial Analysis

First, let's break down the sentence to understand the grammatical conflict. The phrase 'neither of you' is used to negate a plural subject. Traditionally, 'neither' is used to refer to two singular subjects, hence the verb should be singular when paired with 'neither'. However, in modern usage, some native speakers might use a plural verb form, which can lead to confusion.

Here’s how the error is initially identified:

Identifying the Error

The error in the sentence is that 'know' should be 'knows'.

Correct Sentence

The correct sentence is: 'Neither of you knows English'

The reasoning behind this is that despite the plural 'you', 'neither of' refers to a singular context. This is due to the subject 'you' being negated by 'neither'. To break it down further:

'Neither of' treats the entire phrase 'of you' as a singular.

'You' is plural, but 'neither of you' is treated as singular for the purpose of verb agreement.

Exploring 'Neither of You Knows'

Within the context of standard grammar, 'Neither of you knows English' is correct. This is based on the principle that 'neither of' refers to a singular entity, and the verb must agree with that singular reference. Here are some examples to illustrate this:

'Neither James nor Paul come first'

'Neither green nor red suits her'

'Neither size 6 nor size 7 fit him'

'Neither the Pacific nor the Atlantic surround Nepal'

In cases where 'neither' is paired with a plural noun, the verb remains singular:

'Neither of the boys comes first'

'Neither of the colors suits her'

'Neither of the shoes fit him'

'Neither of the oceans surrounds Nepal'

Considering 'Neither of You Know'

While some native English speakers might use 'neither of you know', this is not conforming to standard grammar rules. However, it is useful to explore why some might use it:

1. **Situational Relaxation**: In casual speech, native speakers might simplify or omit the singular/plural agreement. This is a common phenomenon in spoken language but less acceptable in written form.

2. **Global Influence**: English, a global language, is subject to regional variations. Some dialects or informal styles might relax grammatical rules to fit colloquial speech patterns.

The Thumb Rule: Plurals Don't Come Together

A helpful mnemonic for remembering how to use 'neither of' is to remember the grammatical principle that two plurals should not come together:

"Two plurals don't come together in English."

This rule helps writers to choose the correct form of a verb when dealing with 'neither of' and ensures consistency in their writing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct form of the sentence is 'Neither of you knows English'. This adheres to the grammatical rules and ensures clarity and correctness in communication. While some might prefer 'neither of you know', it is not in line with standard English grammar, and using 'knows' is advisable to maintain linguistic precision.

By understanding and applying these grammatical principles, you can avoid common errors and enhance your language skills, making your writing more effective and professional.