Either and Neither

We use ‘either + a singular noun’ to mean ‘this one or that one’ when we are talking about two things of the same kind (like two drinks or two t-shirts).

• Either drink is fine. I like both kinds.
• We could go to either restaurant.
• Julie might buy either t-shirt.

 

We use ‘neither + a singular noun” to mean ‘not this one and also not that one’ when we are talking about two things of the same kind.

• Neither drink is fine. John hates both of them.
• Neither restaurant is good. Let’s go somewhere else.

 

We use ‘either of + plural noun’ and ‘neither of + plural noun’ before a pronoun or a word like ‘this’ or ‘the’ or ‘my’.

• Either of my dresses is good. (= this dress is good and also that dress is good.)
• Either of us can get the key.
• Neither of my dresses will do. (both of my dresses are not good.)
• Neither of us will be on time.

 

We can use ‘either’ and ‘neither’ on their own when we have already said the noun.

• Which drink would you like? Either is fine.
• Which cake do you want? Neither! I’m going to have an apple.

 

If we want to talk about two different things, we can use ‘either + noun + or + noun’. We don’t need to use ‘of’ in this case.

• Either coffee or tea is fine.
• We could use either blue paint or red paint.
• She will buy either some apples or some oranges.

 

We can also use ‘neither + noun + nor + noun’. This tells us about two negative ideas, but it’s quite formal. It’s more normal just to use ‘not + or’.

• I don’t like coffee or tea.
• I like neither coffee nor tea.

 

We can also use ‘neither’ at the beginning of a sentence or clause. It means ‘also not’. We need to use inverted word order afterwards.

• I’m not at home. Neither is John.

This is often used to answer someone.

• A: I don’t like coffee. B: Neither do I.

In an informal style we can use ‘me neither’.

• A: I don’t like coffee. B: Me neither.

We use ‘not… either’ to mean the same thing, but we use normal word order.

• A: I don’t like coffee. B: I don’t either.

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Either and Neither Exercises

Either and Neither Exercise 1

Put in ‘of’ if we need it. Otherwise put -.
1. Give me either __________ those cups. I don’t mind.
2. Neither __________ my parents went to university.
3. Neither __________ student passed the exam.
4. You can take either __________ the books.
5. Neither __________ boy did his homework.
6. Neither __________ them went to the party.
7. Either __________ restaurant is fine.
8. Either __________ jacket is good.
9. Either __________ us could come early.
10. Neither __________ my children can swim.

Answers to Either and Neither Exercise 1

1. Give me either of those cups. I don’t mind.
2. Neither of my parents went to university.
3. Neither – student passed the exam.
4. You can take either of the books.
5. Neither – boy did his homework.
6. Neither of them went to the party.
7. Either – restaurant is fine.
8. Either – jacket is good.
9. Either of us could come early.
10. Neither of my children can swim.

Either and Neither Exercise 2

Put in ‘neither’ or ‘either’.
1. A: I don’t like pizza. B: __________ do I.
2. David doesn’t live in London and I don’t __________.
3. John doesn’t want an ice cream and the children don’t __________.
4. Amanda isn’t French and __________ is Lukas.
5. She doesn’t have a job at the moment and __________ do I.
6. They haven’t eaten breakfast and Jane hasn’t __________.
7. She hasn’t studied Latin and __________ have I.
8. You won’t go to the party and __________ will Lucy.
9. John isn’t going to the meeting and I’m not __________.
10. The weather isn’t good in London and it isn’t good in Scotland __________.

Answers to Either and Neither Exercise 2

1. A: I don’t like pizza. B: Neither do I.
2. David doesn’t live in London and I don’t either.
3. John doesn’t want an ice cream and the children don’t either.
4. Amanda isn’t French and neither is Lukas.
5. She doesn’t have a job at the moment and neither do I.
6. They haven’t eaten breakfast and Jane hasn’t either.
7. She hasn’t studied Latin and neither have I.
8. You won’t go to the party and neither will Lucy.
9. John isn’t going to the meeting and I’m not either.
10. The weather isn’t good in London and it isn’t good in Scotland either.