none of the is/are

[himur_power]

<DIV id=post_message_>hi<BR><BR>both are correct.<BR><BR>with regard to concord, distinguish between:<BR><BR>principle of grammatical concord<BR>principle of functional concord<BR>principle of proximity<BR><BR>Here, either the principal of grammatical concord (none..... is) or the principle of proximity (none.... are) obtains. the latter is often frowned upon by prescriptivist grammarians, but enjoys wider use.<BR><BR>greenbaum/quirk (grammar of english) is the book you want for such things.<BR><BR>best,<BR>david<BR><BR><BR><BR>
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<DIV>Originally Posted by <STRONG>himur_power</STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Hello, <BR><BR>Please help me by shedding some light here. <BR><BR>What's correct?
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<LI>none of the engines is working
<LI>none of the engines are working </LI></UL>I teach students and I always thought that when their subjects are "none" then they should look at the object of the preposition or the "of the" phrase. If the subject next to it is plural then they should use plural verb; and same goes for singular. Am I correct here? <BR><BR>Also, Neither is an indefinite pronoun should so it should always take singular verb, right? like: Neither of the sisters <B>is</B> going to the party. <BR><BR>Thanks</DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV></DIV>

[Rusty]

Here are two websites that will help you decide whether to use a plural or singular verb.
This one (http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/GRAMMAR/sv_agr.htm) refers to none.
And This one (http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/subjectVerbAgree.asp) refers to neither/either.