Question

In the following sentence, four words or phrases have been underlined. Choose the word or the phrase which is not appropriate in standard written English. If the sentence has no error, mark (5)

Neither of our field representatives (1) were (2) able to get (3) to the factory on such (4) short notice. NO ERROR (5)

Answer 1

The use of 'neither' implies a singular, individual reference which requires the singular verb 'was' and not the plural 'were'. The error is [2] 'were'.