Lesson 20- EITHER and NEITHER

• We use a singular verb when either or neither is the subject. Both words can be followed by of.

Example: Either of them is the culprit.

Example: Neither of them wants to come with us.

• Either can mean the one OR the other of two persons or things.

Example: Give me either of them please.

• Neither = not either and often starts a sentence or reply.

Example: Neither of the boys knows anything about her.

Example: “Which one do you want?” “Neither, thank you.”

• Either can mean the one AND the other.

Example: There is a door at either end of the room.

• When the verb is in the negative we cannot use neither. We must use either.

Example: He doesn’t want either of those balls.

• We usually say not … either rather than neither.

Example: She won’t come with me or with him either.

• 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.” We would say, “Neither of them knows the answer.”