Both, either, neither

In this lesson we're going to look at the difference between both/either/neither and how to use each of them in the sentence.

You will also get to know the structures both … and/ neither…nor/either … or.

So let’s get started.

We use either, neither and both when we are talking about two things.

Both equals one plus the other or A plus B.

Neither equals not A and not B

And finally Either is one or the other. It’s A or B.

Pronunciation of Either and Neither

You will hear the word Either pronounced two different ways:

Both forms of pronunciation are correct.

Both equals the two; that one AND the other one; this one AND that one

Both can be used as a pronoun to refer to two things that we have already mentioned.

A: Do you want the blue shirt or the red one?

B: I’ll buy both (= the blue shirt AND the red shirt = both shirts)

Both or Both of?

Both or Both of can be used without a difference in meaning.

Though Both of is more common in the United States.

Both (of) + determiner + plural noun

You can use Both or Both of before a determiner (the, these, those, my, his, etc.) and a plural noun.

Both (of) my friends arrived late to class.

Both (of the) cars are in the garage.

A prize was given to both (of the) players.

When we use Both (without of), we drop the article the.

Both of + Object Pronoun

When using Both with an object pronoun (me, you, him, her, it, us them), we need the preposition OF before that pronoun.

He has invited both us. (incorrect)

He has invited both of us. (correct)

I’ll take both of them. (correct)

I need to speak to both of you. (correct)

The structure Both … and …. means = not only A but also B

Both + Adjective + and + Adjective

He’s both tall and handsome.

I’m both happy and confused at the same time!

I have had a long, hard day and I’m both tired and hungry.

Both + Noun + and + Noun

Both can be used with a singular noun + and + singular noun

She speaks both English and Arabic.

They have both a cat and a dog.

He is both an actor and a director.

We don’t use both in negative structures. Instead, we normally use Neither.

We don’t say: Both of them are not ready (incorrect)

We say: Neither of them are ready (correct)

Neither means not one thing and not the other.

Neither is a negative word and is used with an affirmative singular verb.

Neither + singular noun

Neither is used as a determiner before a single noun.

Neither team wanted to lose.

That tennis game was very close. Neither player had a clear advantage.

Neither parent knew about the accident.

Neither of + determiner + plural noun

If we use neither of we need to add the/these/those or possessives (my/his/her/ etc.).

Neither of my friends came to class today.

Neither of the parents understood what the baby was trying to say.

Neither of our cars has enough petrol so we have to take the bus.

I have seen neither of these films.

Neither of + Pronoun

When using Neither of + pronoun (you, us, them), we need the preposition OF before that pronoun. (If a verb comes after this phrase then it is in singular form)

The present is for neither of us.

Neither of them is married.

The next structure is Neither … nor

It is the opposite of Both … and ….

Neither the supermarket nor the baker’s has any cakes left.

Neither the library nor the swimming pool is open at the moment.

I neither smoke nor drink.

The room was neither cosy nor clean.

If a verb comes after this phrase, that verb is in the singular form.

Neither vs. Either

You can use Either with a negative verb to replace Neither with a positive verb.

I have neither time nor money

I don’t have either time or money.

Either = any one of the two; this one or the other one.

Either is used with an affirmative singular verb and is mostly used in questions or negative sentences.

We can see either movie. I don’t care which. I haven’t seen either movie.

A: Do you want it ready for Thursday or Friday?

B: Either day is fine for me.

Either of + determiner + plural noun

If we use either of we need to add the/these/those or possessives (my/his/her/ etc.) and a plural noun.

I haven’t seen either of the two movies you mentioned.

I haven’t been to either of those coffee shops.

I don’t want either of those cakes.

Either of + Pronoun

When using Either+ of + object pronoun (you, us, them), we need the preposition OF before that pronoun.

I don’t think he is going to invite either of us.

A: Which photo do you prefer? B: I don’t like either of them

I think I left my keys and wallet at the office. I don’t want to lose either of them.

Either A or B

Either … or … is used to talk about alternatives or a choice between two (and sometimes more) things.

You can pay either when you order books or when they are delivered.

You can have either the red dress or the blue dress.

Either you leave the building now or I call the security guards.

Remember to either phone me or send me a text.

Neither/Either are frequently used as part of a short response when someone says something negative and you agree with them.

A: I have never been to Norway.

B: Neither have I.

A: I don’t want to go.

B: Neither do I.

Either is similar with TOO and ALSO (which are used in affirmative sentences).

A: I wasn’t thirsty. B: I wasn’t either. (You cannot say “I wasn’t too”)

A: I’ve never been to Spain. B: I haven’t either.

A: I didn’t go to class yesterday. B: I didn’t either.

Subject-verb agreement

The verb which follows two subjects joined by or must agree with the second subject, NOT the first:

Either my brother or my mum look looks after our cat when we’re away on holiday.

Either my brother or my parents looks look after our cat when we’re away on holiday.

Neither the manager nor his assistant are is here today.

Neither the manager nor his assistants is are here today.

Before doing the task let’s look through the Summary Chart of the lesson.

Both means the two alternatives;

The structure both…and means this AND that.

Either means one of the two alternatives.

Either … or means this OR that.

Neither equals none.

Neither … nor means not this and not the other.

So let’s practice using the rule.

Complete the sentences using both/either/neither and the structures both…and, either…or, neither…nor:

1. - Do you want ice-cream or apple pie?

-                     Can I have both please?

-                     I’m sorry. There isn’t enough to go round. You can only have either ice-cream or pie.

2. Tony wasn’t in class today. Neither was Caroline. Hmm.

3. How embarrassing! We are both wearing the same jumper.

4. Star Wars or Iron Man? I don’t like either of them.

5. Either you obey your mum or you go to your room?

6. I like neither Ann nor Bob. They are both snobs.

7. I found two pairs of nice jeans in the sales so I bought both.

8. What a disaster! I failed both my Maths test and my French test.

Hopefully the information of the lesson was useful to you, guys!

Practise your grammar skills because practice makes perfect!