I
adverb
1
BAD : Inside the examination room we could neither smoke or talk.
GOOD : Inside the examination room we could neither smoke nor talk.
BAD : His parents neither shouted at him or smacked him.
GOOD : His parents neither shouted at him nor smacked him.
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neither ... nor ... (NOT neither ... or ... ): 'The sales assistant was neither friendly nor helpful.'
Compare: 'You can either come with me or wait here.'
2
BAD : I have neither studied the language nor the culture.
GOOD : I have studied neither the language nor the culture.
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Neither should be placed immediately before the first of the connected items and nor immediately before the second. Compare: 'I have neither studied nor experienced the culture.'
II
pronoun
1
BAD : Neither John's father nor mine couldn't understand the problem.
GOOD : Neither John's father nor mine could understand the problem.
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After neither and neither ... nor ... the verb is affirmative (NOT negative): 'Neither applicant had the right qualifications.' 'Neither the teachers nor the students had been informed.'
2
BAD : Neither teachers are coming.
GOOD : Neither teacher is coming.
GOOD : Neither of the teachers is coming.
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After neither + singular noun, the verb is singular: 'Neither player wants a transfer.'
After neither of + plural noun, careful users prefer a singular verb: 'Neither of the players wants a transfer.' Some people use a plural verb, especially in informal styles: 'Neither of the players want a transfer.'