Introduction
You are going to learn how to use both, either and neither to express yourself in speaking and writing. Of course this episode is all about grammar, but it is a grammar tool you would want to learn for the ultimate goal of expressing yourself better in English.
Audio Episode
Both, Either, Neither
both, either, and neither for two things
We use both/neither/either for two things.
- Both restaurants are good,
- Neither restaurant is expensive.
- We can go to either restaurant. I don’t mind.
You can also use both/neither/either without a noun:
- ‘Which do you prefer, basketball or tennis?’ ‘It’s hard to say. I like both.’
- ‘Is your friend British or American?’ ‘Neither. She’s Australian.’
- ‘Do you want tea or coffee?’ ‘Either. I don’t mind.’
Checkpoint 1
both of…, neither of…, either of…
We use both of / neither of / either of + the/these/my/Tom’s,…etc.
- Both of these restaurants are good.
- Neither of the restaurants we went to was expensive.
- I haven’t been to either of those restaurants.
You don’t need of after both.
- Both of these restaurants are good. OR
- Both these restaurants are good.
We also use both of / neither of / either of + us/you/them:
- (talking to two people) Can either of you speak Russian?
- I asked two people how to get to the station, but neither of them knew.
We say ‘both of’ before us/you/them (you need to use of):
Both of us were tired. (not Both us were …)
After neither of … a verb can be singular or plural:
- Neither of them is at home. OR
- Neither of them are at home.
Checkpoint 2
both…and, neither…nor, either…or
both … and …
- Both Chris and Paul were late.
- I was both tired and hungry when I arrived home.
neither … nor …
- Neither Chris nor Paul came to the party.
- There was an accident outside our house, but we neither saw nor heard anything.
either … or …
- I’m not sure where Maria’s from. She’s either Spanish or Italian.
- Either you apologize, or I’ll never speak to you again.
Checkpoint 3
either/neither/both vs. any/none/all
either/neither/both (two things) and any/none/all (more than two)
- There are two good hotels here. You could stay at either of them.
- There are many good hotels here. You could stay at any of them.
- We tried two hotels. Neither of them had a room./Both of them were full.
- We tried a lot of hotels. None of them had a room./All of them were full.
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