both, either and neither are for two things or people. both takes a plural noun; either and neither take a singular noun. Before the, my, these and so on, use both (of), either of, neither of; before them and us, always use of.
A Two things or people
both = the two.
either = one or the other, it does not matter which.
neither = not one and not the other (not + either).
- My neighbour has two sons. Both are doctors. (both = the two sons)
- "Apple juice or orange juice?" "Either. I don't mind."
- "Shall we go to the beach or the park?" "Neither. I'd rather stay in."
- "Apple juice or orange juice?" "I don't want either." (not I don't want neither)
B both + plural, either/neither + singular
both + plural noun: both cities, both books.
either / neither + singular noun: either way, neither book.
- Last summer I visited Edinburgh and York. I loved both cities.
- I've worked in a factory and a call centre. Neither job was much fun.
- There are two roads into town. You can take either road.
C both of, either of, neither of
Use of before the / these / those / my / your / Sam's etc.: neither of my parents, either of these films.
With both, the of is optional: both of those photos = both those photos.
- Neither of my grandparents was born in Britain.
- I haven't seen either of these films.
- I love both of those photos. (or I love both those photos.)
- Both of Sam's brothers live abroad. (or Both Sam's brothers live abroad.)
D both of them, neither of us
Before them / us / you, always use of.
- Sam has two brothers. Both of them live abroad.
- Lena and I skipped lunch. Neither of us was hungry.
- Who are those two women? I don't know either of them.
Exercises
82.1 Put in both/either/neither. Use of where necessary.
Last summer I visited Edinburgh and York. I loved both cities.
Last summer I visited Edinburgh and York. I loved both cities.
There were two lamps in the room. I didn't like either of them.
There were two lamps in the room. I didn't like either of them.
It was an exciting game. teams played really well.
It was an exciting game. Both teams played really well.
It was a dull game. team played well.
It was a dull game. Neither team played well.
"Is your teacher Irish or Scottish?" ". She's from New Zealand."
"Is your teacher Irish or Scottish?" "Neither. She's from New Zealand."
We had two days off last week, and it was cold and grey on days.
We had two days off last week, and it was cold and grey on both days.
A: I've got two magazines. Which one would you like? B: . I don't mind which one.
A: I've got two magazines. Which one would you like? B: Either. I don't mind which one.
I invited Kate and Leo to the barbecue, but them turned up.
I invited Kate and Leo to the barbecue, but neither of them turned up.
"Do you get to school by bus or by train?" ". I always cycle."
"Do you get to school by bus or by train?" "Neither. I always cycle."
"Which coat do you prefer, the red one or the green one?" "I don't like them."
"Which coat do you prefer, the red one or the green one?" "I don't like either of them."
"Are you working, or are you at college?" ". I work part-time and go to college too."
"Are you working, or are you at college?" "Both. I work part-time and go to college too."
Mark and I got lost because us had a map.
Mark and I got lost because neither of us had a map.
Sam has two brothers and a sister. brothers live abroad.
Sam has two brothers and a sister. Both brothers live abroad.
Sam has two brothers and a sister. I've met his sister, but I haven't met his brothers.
Sam has two brothers and a sister. I've met his sister, but I haven't met either of his brothers.
82.2 Read each scene and complete the sentence. Use Both ... and Neither ... .
A waiter holds two cups upside down. Nothing comes out of either.
Both cups are empty.
Both cups are empty.
A wall with two windows, both wide open.
open.
Both windows are open.
Two men, both bare-headed. A crossed-out hat floats above them.
wearing a hat.
Neither man is wearing a hat.
Two tourists, each with a camera round his neck.
cameras.
Both men have got cameras.
Two buses side by side. The sign on each one says AIRPORT.
to the airport.
Both buses are going to the airport.
A board marked ANSWER. Two answers are written on it: 7 + 8 = 13 and 7 + 8 = 16.
right.
Neither answer is right.
82.3 A man and a woman answered some questions. They gave the same answers. Write sentences with Both of them ... or Neither of them ... .
Are you married? (man: No, woman: No)
Neither of them is married.
Neither of them is married.
How old are you? (man: 21, woman: 21)
Both of them are 21.
Both of them are 21.
Are you a student? (man: Yes, woman: Yes)
Both of them are students.
Have you got a car? (man: No, woman: No)
Neither of them has got a car.
Where do you live? (man: Cardiff, woman: Cardiff)
Both of them live in Cardiff.
Do you like dancing? (man: Yes, woman: Yes)
Both of them like dancing.
Can you swim? (man: No, woman: No)
Neither of them can swim.
Do you listen to podcasts? (man: Yes, woman: Yes)
Both of them listen to podcasts.
Are you interested in politics? (man: No, woman: No)
Neither of them is interested in politics.