Another style question

[greenlantern]

Is it "Neither has" or "Neither have"?

 

[spnited]

Neither has.
And that is not a style point, it is basic English.

 

[greenlantern]

That's what I thought it was, but wasn't completely sure. And thanks for the "And that is not a style point, it is basic English." Classy.

 

[spnited]

That's what I thought it was, but wasn't completely sure. And thanks for the "And that is not a style point, it is basic English." Classy.

Truthful.

 

[mustangj17]

Big Gulps eh? Welp, see ya later.

 

[mediaguy]

spnited, shouldn't that be a semicolon after "point" in basic English? Loosening up a bit there?

 

[RickStain]

He wasn't being mean. Well, maybe he was, I don't know his intent.

But the point is that "style" is often incorrectly used as a catch-all for grammatical and semantic questions. Style is a matter of consistently choosing among multiple correct options. When there is only one correct option, it is not a question of style.

 

[spnited]

Thanks, Rick. See, we can agree on something.

And Mediaguy, I hate semicolons. I should have made that two sentences. ;D

 

[RickStain]

Thanks, Rick. See, we can agree on something.

If two people can't disagree on baseball while still being respectful outside it, what has the world come to?

 

[Ace]

It has been my experience that copy editors tend to be a bit prickly in dispensing advice/information.

 

[imjustagirl]

Screw you, Ace. How's that for advice?

 

[Fensterblau]

To elaborate on spnited's point, when the nouns are singular, neither/nor takes the singular form of the verb. But when the nouns are plural, the verb becomes plural (i.e. Neither the Pirates nor the Nationals have an interest in acquiring Roy Halladay).

 

[Ace]

Screw you, Ace. How's that for advice?

Confusing. Is it an offer or a suggestion? What is the subject of that sentence?

 

[imjustagirl]

Screw you, Ace. How's that for advice?

Confusing. Is it an offer or a suggestion? What is the subject of that sentence?

The 'you' was understood as the subject. However, you can also say the "Amy Winehouse" was understood if you'd prefer.

 

[Ace]

Screw you, Ace. How's that for advice?

Confusing. Is it an offer or a suggestion? What is the subject of that sentence?

The 'you' was understood as the subject. However, you can also say the "Amy Winehouse" was understood if you'd prefer.

Hell, that's on my Bucket List. Your prickly personality can't hurt me.