Both - Either - Neither
We use both, either and neither
BOTH
Both = 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 X and Y = not only X but also Y
# Both + Adjective + and + Adjective
He’s both tall and handsome.
I’m both happy and confused at the same time!
I 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 can also use Both + plural noun (see more below)
She speaks both languages.
{ } 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 (my, his, these, the etc.) and a plural noun.
Both (of) my friends arrived late to class.
Both of the wheels wobble too much.
A prize was given to both of the players.
When we use Both (without of), we drop the article the.
- Both of the parents were nervous.
- Both parents were nervous.
# 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)
# Verb + Object pronoun + both
We can use both after an object pronoun
- I hope they invite us both (= I hope they invite both of us)
- Do you need them both? (= Do you need both of them)
- The teacher sent them both to the principal’s office.
# To be + both
Both comes after To Be (or an auxiliary such as have or modal verbs).
- He is both intelligent and agile.
- My sister and I are both ready for the trip.
- We were both happy with our exam results.
# Modal verb + both + verb
- My parents can both speak French.
- They should both try harder.
- My brothers would both be shocked if they knew the truth.
# Both + other verbs
Both goes before the other verbs. If there is an accompanying auxiliary verb, then it goes in the middle of the two verbs (i.e. auxiliary + both + verb)
- We both wanted to stay in bed and not go to work.
- They both liked the surprise.
- My parents both work in the same building.
- They have both studied a lot.
# Both - Negative
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)
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NEITHER
Neither = not one and not the other
Neither is a negative word and is accompanied by an affirmative singular verb.
# Neither X nor Y
Neither … nor … is used as a conjunction. It is the opposite of “Both … and …” If a verb comes after this phrase, that verb is in the singular form (Sometimes you will hear it used in the plural form though it is not grammatically correct)
- Neither John nor Fred likes doing the dishes. (= “Both John and Fred don’t like doing the dishes”)
- I want neither the red shirt nor the blue shirt.
- I neither smoke nor drink.
# 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
You can use Neither of before a determiner (my, his, these, the etc.) and a plural noun.
- 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.
# 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.
- Neither of us expected to be fired.
# Neither in short responses
Neither is frequently used as part of a short response when someone says something negative and you agree with them.
A: I have never been to Switzerland
B: Neither have I.
A: I don’t want to go.
B: Neither do I.
# Neither can also be used alone.
A: Would you like a blue tie or a green tie?
B: Neither. (= Neither tie)
# 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.
See more about Either below.
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EITHER
Either = any one of the two = this one or the other one
Either is accompanied by an affirmative singular verb and if mostly used in questions or negative sentences
# Either X or Y
Either … or … is used as a conjunction. It is used to express alternatives and or a choice between two (and sometimes more) things. It is used a verb in singular form (Sometimes you will hear it used in the plural form though it is not grammatically correct).
- Either you or John has to finish the report before 5pm.
- You can have either the red shirt or the blue shirt. (= but not both)
- Either you leave the building now or I call the security guards.
# Either + singular noun
Either is used as a determiner before a single noun.
- There are only two options and I’m not interested in either film.
- A: Do you want it ready for Thursday or Friday?
B: Either day is fine for me.
# Either of + determiner + plural noun
You can use Either of before a determiner (my, his, these, the etc.) and a plural noun.
- We’ve been dating for 6 months and I haven’t met either of her parents.
- I haven’t read either of these books.
- I don’t want either of those apples. Do you have one that is not rotten?
# 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 can also be used alone. It means it doesn’t matter which alternative. Sometimes it is accompanied by the pronoun “one”.
- A: Would you like a coffee or a tea?
B: Either (one). (= I don’t mind if it’s coffee or tea, both alternatives are fine)
# Either in short responses
Either can be used at the end of a negative sentence when you agree with something negative someone else has said. It is similar to meaning 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 Portugal.
B: I haven’t either.
- A: I didn’t go to class yesterday.
B: I didn’t either
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# Pronunciation of Either and Neither
You will hear the word Either pronounced two different ways:
/ˈaɪðər/ (eye-ther – with a long I sound at the beginning) – British English
/ˈiːðər/ (ee- ther – with a long E sound at the beginning) – American English
Both forms of pronunciation are correct and supposedly one is British English and the other American English. However within each country you may hear both forms used.
# The same happens with the pronunciation of the word Neither:
/ˈnaɪðər/ – British English
/ˈniːðər/ – American English
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