Neither is is the form most writers should choose. In standard English, neither is usually treated as singular, so it takes a singular verb: neither is, neither was, neither has. You may hear neither are in conversation, especially before a plural noun phrase, but for articles, school writing, and polished website content, neither is is the safer choice.
Best default: Use “neither is”. If you are writing for clarity and correctness, that choice will rarely let you down.
Why “Neither Is” Is Usually Correct
The word neither means not one and not the other. That idea points to two options, but grammatically it usually behaves like a singular subject. That is why we normally write neither answer is correct, not neither answer are correct.
This is the pattern most readers expect in edited English. It sounds clean, looks natural, and avoids the kind of small grammar slip that can weaken trust in a piece of writing.
- Neither book is available.
- Neither option is ideal.
- Neither child was ready to leave.
- Neither result has been confirmed.
When People Say “Neither Are”
You will hear neither are in everyday speech, especially in phrases like neither of them are or neither of those are. It happens because the noun after of is plural, and that plural idea pulls the verb toward are.
That usage is common in conversation. Still, if your goal is formal accuracy, neither of them is is the better version. It is more consistent with standard subject-verb agreement.
Good to know: common in speech does not always mean best in writing. If you want the safest edited form, stay with neither is.
“Neither Is” Vs “Neither Are” In Different Sentence Patterns
Neither + Singular Noun
This is the easiest case. Use a singular verb.
- Neither answer is complete.
- Neither door is open.
- Neither choice was easy.
Neither Of + Plural Noun
This is where many writers hesitate. In careful writing, the safest form is still singular.
- Neither of the answers is correct.
- Neither of the cars is available.
- Neither of them was late.
You may hear these in speech:
- Neither of the answers are correct.
- Neither of them were late.
These are common, but they are not the best models for a polished grammar article.
Neither … Nor
With neither … nor, the verb usually matches the noun closest to it. This is one of the few places where the answer is not always simply is.
- Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.
- Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.
- Neither my brother nor my parents are at home.
- Neither my parents nor my brother is at home.
Rule: In neither A nor B, the verb usually agrees with the noun closest to it.
Simple Rule You Can Trust
If you want one rule that works most of the time, use this:
- When neither stands alone as the subject, use a singular verb.
- When you write neither of + plural noun, singular is still the safest choice.
- When you write neither … nor, match the verb to the noun closest to it.
Examples That Show The Difference
Correct
- Neither is correct.
- Neither answer is clear.
- Neither of the plans is cheap.
- Neither of them was ready.
- Neither Tom nor Lisa is here.
Usually Avoid In Formal Writing
- Neither are correct.
- Neither answer are clear.
- Neither of the plans are cheap.
- Neither of them were ready.
- Neither Tom nor Lisa are here.
Why Writers Get Confused
The confusion usually comes from meaning versus grammar. Meaning points to two people or two things, so are can feel natural. Grammar, though, usually treats neither as not one. That singular idea is why is is normally the better choice.
Another reason is speech. Native speakers often follow what sounds natural in the moment. Writing works differently. Good writing often prefers the cleaner grammatical form over the more casual spoken one.
A Useful Table For Fast Checking
| Pattern | Best Verb Choice | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Neither + singular noun | Singular | Neither answer is correct. |
| Neither used alone | Singular | Neither is available. |
| Neither of + plural noun | Usually singular | Neither of the books is useful. |
| Neither … nor + singular noun last | Singular | Neither the boys nor the coach is ready. |
| Neither … nor + plural noun last | Plural | Neither the coach nor the boys are ready. |
Common Sentences And The Best Choice
Is It “Neither Of Them Is” Or “Neither Of Them Are”?
Neither of them is is the better choice in formal writing.
Is It “Neither Of Us Is” Or “Neither Of Us Are”?
Choose neither of us is when you want standard grammar.
Is It “Neither My Friend Nor I Am”?
Yes. In a neither … nor structure, the verb usually follows the nearest subject:
- Neither my friend nor I am free tonight.
- Neither I nor my friend is free tonight.
That second sentence is grammatical, but many writers recast it because it sounds stiff. A smoother option is My friend and I are both unavailable tonight or Neither my friend nor I am available tonight.
Sentences You Can Copy And Use
- Neither is the right size.
- Neither option is perfect, but one is cheaper.
- Neither of the routes is faster at this hour.
- Neither of them was available for the meeting.
- Neither the manager nor the assistants are in the office.
- Neither the assistants nor the manager is in the office.
A Short Test To Check Yourself
Try replacing neither with not one. If the sentence still makes sense, a singular verb is probably right.
- Neither answer is correct. → Not one answer is correct.
- Neither of them is ready. → Not one of them is ready.
That quick check helps in many real writing situations.
The Safest Choice
When you are unsure, write neither is. Use neither are only if you are reflecting casual speech or a very loose tone.
Final Answer To “Neither Is Vs Neither Are”
Neither is is the correct default. Use it in most grammar, writing, and editing contexts. Neither are does appear in informal speech, especially in phrases like neither of them are, but it is not the best choice when you want standard, polished English.
