This question tests your understanding of subject-verb agreement with the word "neither".

Key Concept: The word "neither" is a singular indefinite pronoun. This means that when it is the subject of a sentence, it requires a singular verb, even if it refers to two people or things.

Step-by-Step Analysis:

1. Identify the subject: "Neither of the footballers..."

2. The subject is "Neither", not "footballers". "Of the footballers" is a prepositional phrase that describes "neither" but does not change its number.

3. Since "neither" is singular, it must be paired with a singular verb form.

4. Now, let's examine the options:

• play: This is the plural form of the verb. It is incorrect because it does not agree with the singular subject "neither".
• didn't play: This is the past tense, negative, plural form. It is incorrect for two reasons: it is plural and the sentence structure already implies a negative meaning with "neither", making a second negative word ("didn't") grammatically incorrect (a double negative).
• played: This is the simple past tense, singular form of the verb "to play". It correctly agrees with the singular subject "neither".
• do play: This is an emphatic form using the plural auxiliary verb "do". It is incorrect because the verb is plural.

Final Answer: The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is played.

The complete correct sentence is: "Neither of the footballers played well."

Related Topic: Subject-Verb Agreement

This is a fundamental rule in English grammar. The verb in a sentence must always agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. Other singular indefinite pronouns that follow this same rule include: each, either, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody.

Example: "Each of the students is responsible for their own work."

Related Formulae/Rules

Rule: Singular Indefinite Pronoun + Singular Verb

Common Singular Indefinite Pronouns: neither, either, each, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody.