Grammar
Both, either, and neither
Two colleagues are choosing a train. Both trains stop near the office. Either train will get them there before nine, but neither train has a quiet carriage.
Choose both, either, or neither by deciding whether two people or things are included, offered as alternatives, or excluded.
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
both, either, neither /bəʊθ/, /ˈaɪ.ðə(r)/ or /ˈiː.ðə(r)/, /ˈnaɪ.ðə(r)/ or /ˈniː.ðə(r)/
The short answer
Use both for the two together, either for one of two possible choices, and neither when neither member of the pair fits the statement.
Both menus have vegetarian dishes, so either menu is suitable; neither menu serves breakfast.
Why it works: The three words describe the same pair in three different ways.
5 more examples
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Both routes cross the river before the bridge.
Both includes the two routes as one complete pair.
Not this:
Either routecrosses the river before the bridge. What changes: Either leaves one of the two routes open as a possible choice. -
Neither key opens the storage room.
Neither says that the first key and the second key both fail.
Not this:
Either keyopens the storage room. What changes: Either says that one of the two keys may be used. -
Both of them stayed after the meeting ended.
Use both of before the object pronoun them.
Not this:
Neither of themstayed after the meeting ended. What changes: Neither of them excludes each member of the pair. -
Either of the folders is ready to send.
Either of comes before a plural phrase beginning with the.
Not this:
Neither of the foldersis ready to send. What changes: Neither of says that both folders fail the condition. -
Both Mara and Luis checked the final figures.
Both...and joins two people who share the action.
Not this:
Neither Mara nor Luischanged the final figures. What changes: Neither...nor joins two people who are both excluded from the action.
Read the full guide
These words can look similar because they all point to two people or things. Their meanings are different. Both adds the two together, either keeps one choice open, and neither closes both choices. The noun after either or neither is usually singular when the word comes directly before it.
Start with a pair and a meaning
First, identify the two people or things that matter. Then decide whether the sentence includes the two, gives a choice between them, or excludes them. Both includes the pair. Either offers one member of the pair. Neither excludes each member.
Two batteries work: both batteries work. One of two batteries may work: either battery may work. Zero of two batteries works: neither battery works.
Both seats face the window.
Two lifts are available, and one of them can take you to the fifth floor. Which word completes the sentence: ___ lift can take you to the fifth floor?
Use either: Either lift can take you to the fifth floor.
Use both for the two together
Use both when the two members of a pair share the same fact or action. It is followed by a plural noun: both files, both parents, or both answers. Before an object pronoun, use both of: both of us or both of them.
Both speakers answered the audience's questions.
Both speakers is correct because speakers is plural and the sentence concerns two people.
There are two cousins, and each cousin brought a coat. Complete the sentence: ___ cousins brought coats.
Use both: Both cousins brought coats.
Use either when one option remains possible
Use either when one of two options is possible, acceptable, or true. Put a singular countable noun after it: either day, either answer, or either platform. Before a plural phrase with the or a possessive, use either of: either of the days or either of my answers.
Either day works for the appointment.
Either day refers to one of two days, so day is singular.
You can submit one of two versions. Complete the sentence: ___ of these versions is acceptable.
Use either: Either of these versions is acceptable.
Use neither for no member of the pair
Neither means not either one. It already gives the sentence a negative meaning, so standard English does not add not to the verb. Use a singular noun after neither: neither plan works. With a determined plural phrase, use neither of: neither of the plans works.
Neither proposal solves the timing problem.
Neither proposal works is standard. Neither proposal does not work adds a second negative meaning.
Two maps are old, and neither map shows the new cycle path. Complete the sentence: ___ map shows the new cycle path.
Use neither: Neither map shows the new cycle path.
Use the paired connectors carefully
Use both...and to include two things, either...or to offer two alternatives, and neither...nor to exclude two alternatives. Keep the words or phrases after the connectors in a similar form. That makes the relationship between the choices clear.
You can either print the form or save it as a PDF.
Print the form and save it as a PDF are both verb phrases, so either...or joins matching parts.
Both the alarm and the backup alarm rang at six.
The studio is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Complete the sentence: ___ Saturday ___ Sunday is available for a visit.
Use neither and nor: Neither Saturday nor Sunday is available for a visit.
Before you go
Remember this
Use both to include a pair, either to keep one of two options open, and neither to exclude both. Put a singular noun after either or neither. Before a determined plural phrase, use either of or neither of. Use the paired connectors both...and, either...or, and neither...nor when you join two matching parts of a sentence.
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 "Both, either, and neither"
What is the difference between both, either, and neither?
Use both when the two members of a pair are included together. Use either when one of two choices is possible or acceptable. Use neither when no member of the pair has the stated quality. The choice depends on whether your meaning is inclusion, an open alternative, or exclusion.
Both routes cross the river before the bridge.
Why is the noun singular after either and neither?
Either and neither consider one member of a pair at a time when they come directly before a noun. Use either route and neither route. Before a plural phrase with a determiner, use either of or neither of, as in either of the routes.
Either route crosses the river before the bridge.
When do I use both of, either of, and neither of?
Use these forms before an object pronoun or a plural noun phrase with a determiner. Say both of them, either of the folders, or neither of my neighbors. The word of connects the determiner phrase to the expression about the pair.
Neither key opens the storage room.
Can I use neither with a negative verb?
Neither already makes a negative statement about two people or things. Standard English uses Neither plan works, without not. If the verb is negative, use either instead: I do not prefer either plan.
Either key opens the storage room.
How do both...and, either...or, and neither...nor work?
Both...and joins two included people, things, or actions. Either...or presents two alternatives, and neither...nor excludes two alternatives. Keep the connected words in similar grammatical forms, such as either call the office or send a message.
Both of them stayed after the meeting ended.