neither / neither of

  Neither / neither of means not the one nor the other of two people or things.

  When 'neither' is used as an adjective or pronoun it takes a singular verb.

  For example:-

  Neither teacher is present.

  Neither was present.

  When we use 'neither of' there is a bit of controversy. In speech and less formal writing a plural verb is often used,

  For example:-

  Neither of the teachers were in the classroom.

  However, purists will insist on using singular verbs.

  For example:-

  Neither of the teachers was in the classroom.