........my two friends like reading. a. Every of b. Neither of c. None d. Either

[abo.omar]

..............my two friends like reading.

a. Every of
b. Neither of
c. None
d. Either
My answer is C.
Is it correct?

 

[tedmc]

"Does "none my two friends" sound right to you?

 

[abo.omar]

"Does "none my two friends" sound right to you?

No, I would say"none of my two friends likes reading " [h=2][/h][h=2][/h]

 

[5jj]

None of my (three or more) friends likes reading.
Neither of my (two) friends likes reading.

Many people would use like in the first; some would use it in the second.

 

[emsr2d2]

No, I would say"none of my two friends likes reading "

If you knew it was wrong without "of", why did you choose C?

 

[TheParser]

NOT A TEACHER

1. Here is what one American authority says: "Generally speaking, none is is the more emphatic (my emphasis) way of expressing an idea. But it's also the less common way, and it therefore sounds somewhat stilted [unnatural]." -- Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern American Usage (1998), page 450.

2. Another American authority gives this example: "None [ = "not any"] of [the boxer's] fingers were broken." (The emphasis is the author's.) She adds: "When you really do mean 'not one,' it's better to say 'not one,' and use a singular verb: "Not one [the author's emphasis] of [the boxer's] fingers was broken." -- Patricia T. O'Conner, Woe Is I (1996), page 28.

3. A personal observation: I am pretty sure that I have heard TV newsreaders use either the singular or plural verb in this kind of sentence: "The airplane came to a sudden stop. Fortunately, none of the passengers was/were hurt." I believe that "were" would sound more natural to most Americans.

 

[abo.omar]

If you knew it was wrong without "of", why did you choose C?

Good question.
It is "like" which should go with none only.
If it were "likes"we can choose one of the others.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

NOT A TEACHER

1. Here is what one American authority says: "Generally speaking, none is is the more emphatic (my emphasis) way of expressing an idea.

More emphatic than what? None is is less emphatic than not one is: Not one is interested in opera versus None is interested in opera. (Neither is very natural. More likely: None of them is or Not one of them is.

But it's also the less common way, and it therefore sounds somewhat stilted [unnatural]." -- Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern American Usage (1998), page 450.

2. Another American authority gives this example: "None [ = "not any"] of [the boxer's] fingers were broken." (The emphasis is the author's.) She adds: "When you really do mean 'not one,' it's better to say 'not one,' and use a singular verb: "Not one [the author's emphasis] of [the boxer's] fingers was broken." -- Patricia T. O'Conner, Woe Is I (1996), page 28.

I'll allow it. But personally, when I use none, I mean not one.

3. A personal observation: I am pretty sure that I have heard TV newsreaders use either the singular or plural verb in this kind of sentence: "The airplane came to a sudden stop. Fortunately, none of the passengers was/were hurt." I believe that "were" would sound more natural to most Americans.

It takes all kinds!

(Not a teacher, either.)

 

[Tarheel]

A dialogue

Omar: Neither of my two friends likes reading.
Ron: Are you saying you only have two friends?
Omar: No, I'm not saying that at all.
Ron: Well, it certainly seems like it. Besides, why did you want to tell me your friends don't like to read?
Omar: Hey, you're the one making up this dialogue. Why don't you tell me?

 

[abo.omar]

A dialogue

Omar: Neither of my two friends likes reading.
Ron: Are you saying you only have two friends?
Omar: No, I'm not saying that at all.
Ron: Well, it certainly seems like it. Besides, why did you want to tell me your friends don't like to read?
Omar: Hey, you're the one making up this dialogue. Why don't you tell me?



[h=2]What is your answer, please?[/h]

..............my two friends like reading.

a. Every of
b. Neither of
c. None
d. Either
​

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

What is your answer, please?

..............my two friends like reading.

a. Every of
b. Neither of
c. None
d. Either
​

No one has disagreed with 5jj's post #4. It answers your question.

C is incorrect, for reasons 5jj and others have explained above.

Do you still have questions?

 

[Tarheel]

[h=2]What is your answer, please?[/h]

..............my two friends like reading.

a. Every of
b. Neither of
c. None
d. Either
​

B. Neither of

 

[abo.omar]

No one has disagreed with 5jj's post #4. It answers your question.

C is incorrect, for reasons 5jj and others have explained above.

Do you still have questions?

Yes, I have one last question.
Is the form "like" correct?

 

[abo.omar]

B. Neither of

Did you notice the verb"like'?

 

[Tarheel]

"They don't like reading " means they don't enjoy it. They'd rather do something else.

 

[5jj]

Did you notice post 4?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Did you notice the verb"like'?

Yes. It should be likes.

 

[Tarheel]

I don't have any problem with "Neither of my two friends likes reading".

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I don't have any problem with "Neither of my two friends likes reading".

That's because you're a smart person. (And they're not.)

 

[Tdol]

Did you notice the verb"like'?

Yup, but I didn't lose any sleep about it.