eng8-u3-grammar-b· UNIT 3. NATURE· ~18 min

Unit 3 Grammar B: Both, either, and neither

Express two, one of two, or zero of two with correct coordination and scope.

Both includes two people or things, either selects one of two, and neither excludes both. In paired structures, use both A and B, either A or B, and neither A nor B. Before an object pronoun, use of: both of them, either of us, neither of you. Either and neither take a singular noun when they directly determine it: either route, neither answer. Either of and neither of introduce a plural determined group. In formal style, either of the routes and neither of the answers can take a singular verb; informal English also commonly uses plural agreement. Neither already makes the meaning negative, so it combines with a positive verb.

Key terms

both — one and the other; the complete pair
either — one or the other of two
neither — not one and not the other of two
paired structure — two linked parts such as both A and B
formal agreement — the singular verb pattern requested in formal-style either-of or neither-of items
Core patterns
MeaningPaired formNoun or pronoun form
two includedboth A and Bboth students; both of them
one of twoeither A or Beither route; either of the routes
zero of twoneither A nor Bneither route; neither of the routes
Agreement note
StructureFormal targetInformal alternative
either of + plural groupEither of the routes is open.Either of the routes are open.
neither of + plural groupNeither of the routes is open.Neither of the routes are open.
both + plural groupBoth routes are open.same plural agreement
✎Build a paired sentence
  1. 1Count the choices: There are exactly two: walking and cycling.
  2. 2Read the meaning: One of the two is possible.
  3. 3Choose the pair: Use either ... or: We can either walk or cycle.
🚫One negative is enough

Say Neither route is open, not Neither route isn’t open.

💡Respect the requested style

If a question explicitly requests formal singular agreement, choose is or prefers; plural agreement may be valid in informal English.

Rules

  1. 1Use both ... and to include A and B.
  2. 2Use either ... or to choose or permit one of two alternatives.
  3. 3Use neither ... nor to exclude both alternatives.
  4. 4Use both of, either of, or neither of before an object pronoun.
  5. 5Use either or neither + singular noun when no of-phrase follows.
  6. 6Use either of or neither of + determined plural noun phrase.
  7. 7When a task explicitly requests formal singular agreement, use a singular verb after either of or neither of; plural agreement is also common informally.
  8. 8Use a positive verb after neither; do not add a second negative.

Practice

5 easy · 5 medium · 5 hard

Up to 10 random questions per test

EasyMediumHardMixed