Both, either, neither

BOTH = "one and the other"

You use both when you think of the two people or things as a group.

BOTH + Plural NOUN

Both children are happy with their presents.

BOTH + the/these/my + NOUN

Both the young men will come to the party.

I can recommend both these books to you.

Both her brothers live in London.

BOTH + of + PRONOUN

Both of us like playing tennis.

BOTH + (of) + the/these/my + Plural NOUN

Both (of) these restaurants are excellent.

EITHER = "any one of two"

You use either when you think of the two people or things as individuals.

EITHER + Singular NOUN

Either way is acceptable.

EITHER + of + PRONOUN

Either of them can do the job.

EITHER + of + the/these/my + Plural NOUN

Can either of your parents speak French?

NEITHER = "not one and not the other"

You use neither when you are thinking of the two people or things as individuals and you are making a negative statement about them.

NEITHER + Singular NOUN

Neither man knows what he is doing.

NEITHER + of + PRONOUN

Neither of us is/are* having any luck!

NEITHER + of + the/these/my + Plural NOUN

Neither of the children is/are* at school.

NOTE: ”neither of” is normally used with a singular verb but it can be used with a plural verb. A singular noun is more common in a formal style.

Exercise 41. Choose the correct form of the verb in brackets to complete these sentences.

Example: Neither of us is hungry. (be)

1. Both of us __ football but neither of us __ tennis. (like/like)

2. Both films __ good. (be)

3. Neither road __ to the station. (go)

4. Both his sisters __ in North London. (live)

5. You can see him on Friday or on Saturday. Either of those days __ convenient for him. (be)

Exercise 42. Complete the sentences using both, both of, either, either of, neither, neither of.

1. "Have your parents got a car?" - "No, _ them can drive."

2. "Which of these shirts do you prefer?" - "I don't really like _ them very much."

3. "What's the capital of Switzerland, Geneva or Zurich?" - "_. It's Berne."

4. _ these pullover are very nice. I don't know which one to buy.

5. "Do you mind which cake I take?" - "No, take _."

Both ... And/either ... Or/neither ... Nor

We use both, either or neither to link ideas in these structures:

both ... and ...

either ... or ...

neither ... nor ...

These expressions join nouns, verbs or other kinds of expressions.

He both works and studies. (verb + verb)

She plays both tennis and squash. (noun + noun)

The film is both depressing and boring. (adjective+ adjective)

You must either go at once or wait till tomorrow. (verb + verb)

We'll take either a single or a return ticket. (noun + noun)

That article is neither interesting nor instructive. (adjective + adjective)

Both Ann and Kate are going to study Biology.

Either Max or my friends are planning to give a graduation party.

Neither Mrs Woods nor her husband are at home.

NOTE:

1. When the subjects are connected by either ... or ..., or neither ... nor .... the verb is usually plural.

If either Christine or Bill come_, they will want a drink.

2. It's more formal to use the singular.

If either Christine or Bill comes, she or he will want a drink.

Exercise 43. Answer the questions.

A. Use both ... and ... .

Example: You know Jim. Do you know his girlfriend? - Yes, I know both Jim and his girlfriend.

1. The city suffers from air pollution. Does it suffer from water pollution?

2. You are planning a trip to Turkey. Are you planning a trip to Europe?

3. Martin can play the trumpet. Can he play the saxophone?

4. They are going to talk to a travel agent. Are they going to look through travel brochures?

B. Use either ... or ... .

Example: Your sister will meet you at the airport, or your parents will meet you there. Is that right? - Yes, either my sister or my parents will meet me at the airport.

1. The Browns will go to the Canary Islands for their holidays, or they'll go to Miami. Is that right?

2. Pete has got a Webster dictionary, or Mike has got a Webster dictionary. Is that right?

3. We will go on an excursion to the British Museum, or we will go on an excursion to the Museum of Natural History. Is that right?

4. They are going to pack their things tonight, or they are going to pack their things tomorrow morning. Is that right?

С. Use neither ... nor…

Example: Nicole's husband doesn't speak French. Do her children speak French? - No, neither her husband nor her children speak French.

1. Rita doesn't like black coffee. Does she like white coffee?

2. The test won't be too difficult. Will it be easy?

3. They don't have a fridge for their new apartment. Do they have an electric stove?

4. They aren't going to stay at hotels. Are they going to stay with their friends?