Question

From the set of sentences given below in question, choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

Options

• Neither this nor that machine is working.

• Neither this nor that machine are working. 

• Neither this and that machine is working. 

• Neither this but that machine is working. 

Answer 1

1. Neither, when used as a conjunction, should be followed by nor. So, both the sentence "Neither this and that machine is working." and "Neither this but that machine is working." are incorrect.
2. If the subject consists of two singular nouns or pronouns connected by neither..nor, then a singular verb is required. ‘This machine’ and ‘that machine’ are singular nouns. Thus, ‘are’ in the sentence - Neither this nor that machine are working. is grammatically incorrect.

Therefore, Neither this nor that machine is working. is the correct sentence.