Grammar
All, both, either, and neither
Four lamps are on in a hallway. All the lamps are on. In a smaller room, there are two lamps: both lamps are on, either lamp can light the desk, but neither lamp works when its bulb is removed.
Choose all, both, either, or neither by counting the group and deciding whether the meaning is positive or negative.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
all, both, either, neither /ɔːl/, /bəʊθ/, /ˈaɪ.ðə(r)/ or /ˈiː.ðə(r)/, /ˈnaɪ.ðə(r)/ or /ˈniː.ðə(r)/
The short answer
Use all for a whole group or amount, both for two together, either for one of two possible choices, and neither when both choices are excluded.
All the guests signed in, and both hosts greeted them at the door.
Why it works: All refers to the complete group of guests. Both refers to the two hosts.
5 more examples
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All the volunteers stayed until the tables were packed away.
All includes every person in the larger group of volunteers.
Not this:
Both volunteersstayed until the tables were packed away. What changes: Both is right when the group contains exactly two volunteers. -
Both jackets fit, so either jacket is suitable for the trip.
Either leaves one of the two suitable choices open.
Not this:
Neither jacketfits, so I need to try another size. What changes: Neither excludes both jackets from being suitable. -
All of us met outside the library after class.
Use all of before an object pronoun such as us.
Not this:
Both of usmet outside the library after class. What changes: Both of us names a pair of people. -
Either of the two workshops will cover the safety rules.
Either of comes before a plural noun phrase with the when there are two possible choices.
Not this:
Neither of the two workshopsstarts before noon. What changes: Neither of says that both workshops fail the condition. -
Both Lea and Rafi brought their own lunch.
Both...and joins two people who share the same action.
Not this:
Neither Lea nor Rafibrought a drink. What changes: Neither...nor joins two people who are both excluded from the action.
Read the full guide
Before you choose a word, look at the number of people or things. A group of three or more often needs all when every member is included. A pair may need both, either, or neither. Then ask whether the sentence includes everyone, gives a choice, or rules every option out.
Count the group before choosing a word
Start with the number of relevant people or things. Use both for a pair. Use all when you mean the complete group or amount, especially with three or more items. Either and neither are also about a pair, but they answer a different question: whether a choice is open or whether both choices are ruled out.
Two keys: both keys. Five keys: all the keys. Two possible keys: either key or neither key.
All the boxes are labeled, but both parcels still need addresses.
There are two editors, and each one read the report. Choose the word before editors.
Use both: Both editors read the report.
Use all and both for a complete group
All and both are positive words that include every member of the group. Put them before a noun phrase: all the messages, both messages, all my luggage, both my cousins. With an object pronoun, use of: all of it, all of them, both of us, or both of them.
All of the equipment is stored in the cabinet.
All of it is useful before a pronoun. Do not say all it.
Complete the sentence with all of or both of: There are two of us, and ___ us arrived early.
Use both of: There are two of us, and both of us arrived early.
Use either when one of two choices is possible
Use either before a singular countable noun when one of two choices can be chosen or can be true. Say either seat, either day, or either answer. Use either of before a plural noun phrase with the, these, those, or a possessive: either of the seats, either of those days, or either of my answers.
Either train will get you to the airport before noon.
Either train means one of two trains. The noun after either is singular.
Two meeting times are available. Complete the sentence: ___ of the times works for me.
Use either: Either of the times works for me.
Use neither when both choices are excluded
Neither means not either one. It already makes the clause negative, so do not add not to the verb in standard English. Use neither before a singular noun and neither of before a plural noun phrase with a determiner: neither route, neither of the routes, neither of our neighbors.
Neither answer explains the missing number.
Neither answer is correct is standard. Neither answer is not correct adds an unnecessary second negative.
Both doors are locked. Complete the sentence: ___ of the doors opens with this card.
Use neither: Neither of the doors opens with this card.
Join two alternatives with matching grammar
Use both...and to include two people, things, or actions. Use either...or to offer two alternatives. Use neither...nor to exclude two alternatives. Keep the words after the connectors in the same grammatical form where possible, so the sentence is easy to follow.
You can either email the receipt or bring it to the desk.
Email the receipt and bring it to the desk are both verb phrases, so the alternatives match.
Both the screen and the keyboard need cleaning.
No one from either team scored. Complete the sentence: ___ team ___ scored.
Use neither and nor: Neither team nor the other team scored.
Before you go
Remember this
Use all for every member of a group or the whole amount. Use both for two together. For a pair, use either when one option remains possible and neither when both are excluded. Use all of or both of before pronouns, and use either...or or neither...nor to join two alternatives.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "All, both, either, and neither"
What is the difference between all and both?
All refers to every member of a group or the whole amount. Both refers to two members together. For example, all the runners may finish a race, while both runners is the natural choice when there are exactly two runners.
All the volunteers stayed until the tables were packed away.
When should I use all of and both of?
Use all of and both of before object pronouns, such as all of us, all of them, both of us, and both of them. Before a noun phrase, all the guests and both guests are also possible, while all of the guests and both of the guests add the same complete-group meaning.
Both volunteers stayed until the tables were packed away.
Why is the noun singular after either and neither?
Either and neither consider one member of a pair at a time, so they are followed by a singular countable noun: either route and neither route. Use either of or neither of before a plural noun phrase with a determiner, such as either of the routes.
Both jackets fit, so either jacket is suitable for the trip.
Can I use neither with not?
Neither already gives the clause a negative meaning, so standard English does not add not to the verb. Write Neither option works. If you use a negative verb instead, choose either: I do not like either option.
Neither jacket fits, so I need to try another size.
How do both...and, either...or, and neither...nor work?
Both...and includes two connected people, things, or actions. Either...or presents two alternatives, and neither...nor excludes two alternatives. Keep the connected parts parallel where possible, such as either call today or write tomorrow.
All of us met outside the library after class.