<p>Having heard both local candidates give speeches, Tina was convinced that neither of them were likely to be elected in the primary.</p>
<p>The error is choice C. So is either and neither always used with 'was' instead of 'were'?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>In this case it should be a singular because it mentioned “both local candidates” earlier, indicating each choice out of “them” is a single candidate.</p>
<p>If it said for example “either the blue dogs or the red cats” or “neither the black flags nor the cool houses” then it would be plural… like for example:</p>
<p>Having seen the expressions on the people’s faces, Tina was convinced that neither the black people nor the white people were likely to be satisfied with this election.</p>
<p>This would be a plural use of “neither”</p>