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Neither : Singular or plural

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Neither : Singular or plural

by ani781 » Sat Jul 06, 2013 12:39 pm
By what I know, it depends whether 'Neither'would be Singular or Plural. Now what about this SC question ?

Devices such as hearing aids, which amplify sounds, and cochlear implants, which stimulate the auditory nerve directly, help people hear, but neither restores hearing to normal .

(A) help people hear, but neither restores hearing to normal
(B) helps people hear, but neither restores hearing to normal
(C) help people in their hearing, but neither restore hearing to normal
(D) helps people hear, and neither restores hearing to normal
(E) help people hear,and neither restores hearing to normal

My Question is , what would agree to 'neither' in this case : restore or restores ? Wont it depend on the subject ? And if yes , in that case wont the subject be plural [I assume hearing aids and cochlear implants are plural if taken individually ( s) or taken together (and)] ?
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by GMATGuruNY » Sat Jul 06, 2013 2:41 pm
ani781 wrote:Devices such as hearing aids, which amplify sounds, and cochlear implants, which stimulate the auditory nerve directly, help people hear, but neither restores hearing to normal .

(A) help people hear, but neither restores hearing to normal
(B) helps people hear, but neither restores hearing to normal
(C) help people in their hearing, but neither restore hearing to normal
(D) helps people hear, and neither restores hearing to normal
(E) help people hear,and neither restores hearing to normal
In B and D, helps (singular) does not agree with devices and implants (plural).
Eliminate B and D.

In D, restore (plural) does not agree with neither (singular).
Eliminate D.

In E, and does not convey the intended contrast.
Eliminate E.

The best answer is A, but I'm a bit troubled by the use of neither.
As a stand-alone subject, neither takes a SINGULAR verb.
The conveyed meaning is not one or the other.
But in the OA, neither refers not to ONE device but to the MANY devices used to treat hearing loss.
The following would be better:
Devices and implants help people hear, but neither method of treatment restores hearing to normal.
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