Which of these two sentences SOUNDS right?

I think 1 sounds right.

1.
Also, ‘organisation’.

@ragingloli “Also, ‘organisation’.”

Psht…Brits.

:)

Grammar by knee jerk?

Well, my thought is, if the majority say one “sounds” right, even if it isn’t right, then the person reading the sentence will think it’s right, even if it isn’t. Conversely, if he thinks it doesn’t “sound” right, even if it is, it could hurt my credibility. See.

Simple test:

How do they sound with “either of these” removed?

Well, then you have

1) Is applications the one that your organization uses?

2) Are applications the one that your organization uses?

#2 sounds right and is right.

#1 neither sounds right nor is right.

If it’s wrong, but it sounds right… then the person doing the hearing shouldn’t be asked. Your credibility (though not sure why that’s in question) is hurt when you ask someone who doesn’t know better – especially when you know better.

http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/either_or_plural_or_singular_verb.htm

To me, #2 sounds better because it’s easier to say.

@dxs How can the word “are” be easier to say than the word “is”?

@dappled_leaves Because that’s what feels easier to me in that context.

2

@dappled_leaves ”#2 sounds right and is right.”

Uh, no it’s not.

“Either of these applications” is singular because it’s either this or that – it’s just one, not both. So, you’d use “is,” which is singular, instead of “are,” which is plural. If you replace “either of these applications” with the word “it” (also singular), you’d get:

1) Is it the one that your organization uses?
2) Are it the one that your organization uses?

Clearly, #1 is correct.

…or you could just look at @ragingloli‘s link.

@dappled_leaves You said, ”#2 sounds right and is right. #1 neither sounds right nor is right.” But you’re the one who told me #2 was wrong, because that’s how I had it written in the first place and you said it was wrong!

Now I’m really confused!

@livelaughlove21 @Dutchess_III Hah! Indeed, I wrote my response backwards. It should have read:

#1 sounds right and is right.

#2 neither sounds right nor is right.

That’s what I get for trying to edit my original response so that it would sound more straightforward. Darned editing window.

From @ragingloli‘s link “Be mindful though that many writers follow the Proximity Rule. This states that the noun nearest the verb governs it.” So which noun is nearest the verb in my example?

@dappled_leaves Gotcha. :)

Who’d a thunk!

@Dutchess_III “Applications” is the nearest noun. Just because “many writers” do it that way doesn’t mean it’s correct, though.

@livelaughlove21 In this context, “applications” is a noun. The verb is is/are, which agrees with “either” – which is always singular.

Gotcha. :)

But “either,” by its very nature, implies plural!

@dappled_leaves I know it’s a noun. And yes, is/are agrees with “either.” Isn’t that what I said? lol.

@Dutchess_III No it doesn’t.

Either this OR that.
Both this AND that.

When you say “either,” you mean one or the other, but never both. Therefore, singular.

Gotcha.

For what it’s worth, it’s the same with neither. Neither this NOR that. So, I’d say, “Neither of these applications is the one our organization uses,” and not, “Neither of these applications are the one our organization uses.”

Well, it is neither here nor there. I think. Yeah.

@livelaughlove21 Well, you have definitely demonstrated superior mastery of the editing window. :)

@dappled_leaves Huh?

@Dutchess_III Ha! Oops. You’re correct. That’s what I get for not re-reading my posts.

@dappled_leaves Oh, you’re right. I accidentally typed “verb,” but fixed it almost immediately after I hit “answer” and saw what I did. You must’ve been here right when it posted, because there were no responses by the time I fixed it.

Hmm, it’s being revealed how often I make stupid mistakes and have to go back and fix them here on Fluther. Hint: Pretty much anytime I post something, including this.

@livelaughlove21 Yep, I have the same problem. ;)

2 sounds better but 1 is more right.

LOL!

2 sounds right to me.

But it isn’t right @Esedess.

1.

2 sounds best.

Sounds best to me too, but it’s wrong. :(

@Dutchess_III
I know…

The reason it doesn’t sound right is because we’re used to using “are” when referring to multiple objects.
i.e. – Are these books good? vs Is these books good?
Inversely when referring to a single object we use “is”.

Basically, it’s just a very sloppy sentence… There’s too much jumping back and forth between a plural and singular sentence structure. It’s unnecessarily complex, I assume for the purpose of this question…

Visualizing the back and forth:
(1) = Singular
(2) = Plural

Is(1) either(1) of these(2) applications(2) the one(1) that your organization uses?

Now look at a cleaner version.
Which(2) of these(2) are(2) the application(1) that your organization uses?

Damnit… now I’m confused…
Which of these (are or is) the application that your organization uses?

Which of “these”...
..these are
..these is

On that side “are” is correct.

But then
..are the application that you use
..is the application that you use

On that side “is” is correct.

Dutchess!!! You just messed up every sentence I’ve ever written! You better set me straight.

@Esedess The construction of the sentence is appropriate. Your “solution” does not allow for the possibility that the company uses neither application.

@dappled_leaves
bleh~

@ragingloli ”organisation” I’m with you all the way on that one.

Damn Brits! They all talk just like Winnie The Pooh.

It is called ‘English’ for a reason.

I would say, “Which of these puppies do you guys use?”

Whica dese puppies do yuose use? Yeah, I like dat!