- When we use either + of or neither + of, either or neither being the singular subject in the sentence must be followed by a singular verb.
EXAMPLE: Either of the boys is guilty of starting the fire.
EXAMPLE: Neither of the two donkeys carries heavy loads.
EXAMPLE: Either of them has stolen my chewing gum.
EXAMPLE: Neither of them has the courage to talk to her.
- Either can mean the one OR the other of two persons or things.
EXAMPLE: Give me either of them please.
- Neither is often used to start a sentence or reply to a question.
EXAMPLE: Neither of the boys knows anything about her.
EXAMPLE: "Which pizza do you want?" "Neither, Thank you." (There are only two pizzas.)
- When the verb is in the negative, we cannot use neither. We must use either.
| EXAMPLE: |
He doesn't want either of those balls. |
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(NOT: He doesn't want neither of those balls.) |
- Instead of using both ... followed by not ... we would use neither.
EXAMPLE: We would not usually say, "Both of them don't know the answer." Instead, we would say "Neither of them knows the answer."
- We can use either or neither on its own.
EXAMPLE: "Do you want coffee or tea?" "Either. It doesn't matter which one."
EXAMPLE: "Which house do you have in mind?" "Neither. They are overpriced."
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