[Grammar] (Either/'every one'/each/one) of you is/are takes/take

[khanhhung2512]

According to the rules of grammar, the pronoun either is singular and requires a singular verb.

• Either is correct.

However, in informal writing and speech, a plural verb is common when either is followed by of.

• Either of the answers is/are correct.
• This was not something that either of them was/were happy about.

Source: http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/either

However, when we break down "either of you", or "either you or you", we still have "you", which deserves a plural verb.
What makes me even more confused is:
+ http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/either (BrE) and http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/either (AmE), I found: "Does either of you speak Chinese?"
+ http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/english/2006/02/are_or_is.html It seems "are" is favored there.
Hence, I'd like to ask about which one is more favored, more correct, and more grammatical. Same question goes for the other three.
I'm more inclined to "is".
Thank you very much.

 

[bhaisahab]

"You" can be either singular or plural.

 

[khanhhung2512]

Yes, but isn't "you" always be accompanied by plural verbs?

 

[Matthew Wai]

Either of the answers is/are correct.

I think 'is' applies to 'either' while 'are' applies to 'answers', am I right or wrong?

Not a teacher.

 

[khanhhung2512]

NOT A TEACHER
It seems everyone has forgotten this topic.

 

[Matthew Wai]

"either of you"

Again, I think a singular verb is used when referring to 'either' and a plural verb is used when referring to 'you'. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Not a teacher.

 

[khanhhung2512]

Again, I think a singular verb is used when referring to 'either' and a plural verb is used when referring to 'you'. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I don't quite follow what you are saying.
NOT A TEACHER

 

[Rover_KE]

There are too many variables for us to give a simple, all-encompassing answer, and we don't even have a complete sentence to consider.

For example:

We can say 'One of you is to blame for the accident' and 'Every one of you is to blame for the accident', but it's less natural to say 'Either of you is to blame for the accident' or 'Each of you is to blame for the accident'.

 

[Matthew Wai]

'One of you is to blame for the accident'
'Is' is used because 'one' takes a singular verb.

'Either of you are to blame for the accident'
'Are' is used because 'you' takes a plural verb.

Am I right or wrong?
Not a teacher.

 

[khanhhung2512]

NOT A TEACHER
How about:
If either of you take(s) a vacation now, we will not be able to finish the work.
Are/Is either of you going to the dance?
Does/Do either of you speak Vietnamese?
I'm more disposed to the singular, but I'm not sure if I'm correct.

 

[Rover_KE]

'Either of you are to blame for the accident'
'Are' is used because 'you' takes a plural verb.

That's wrong — 'either' takes a singular verb.

 

[Rover_KE]

NOT A TEACHER
How about:
If either of you take(s) a vacation now, we will not be able to finish the work.
Are/Is either of you going to the dance?
Does/Do either of you speak Vietnamese?
I'm more disposed to the singular, but I'm not sure if I'm correct.

The singular is correct in all the above.