Lesson 6 - House
Navigation: Home → Intermediate Level → Lesson 6 → Grammar
Pages in this lesson: Vocabulary - Grammar - Listening - Dialogue - Reading - Spelling - Dictation - Game
This page: Learn the difference between the words both, either, and neither in English and how to use them in a sentence.

Both girls are skating.
 

both/either/neither
Grammar

The word both in English indicates two out of a group of two. Either indicates one out of a group of two. Neither indicates zero out of a group of two.

• both - 2 of 2
• either - 1 of 2
• neither - 0 of 2

We use both with plural nouns but Either and neither with singular nouns.

• Both students can take the test.
• Either student can take the test.
• Neither student can take the test.

You can use both with two nouns connected by the word and, either with two nouns connected by or, and neither with two nouns connected by nor.

• Both Frank and Bob live in Chicago.
• Either Frank or Bob lives in Chicago.
• Neither Frank nor Bob lives in Chicago.

The word of is used with these words before plural nouns or object pronouns.

• With plural nouns
• Both of the students can go to the party.
• Either of the students can go to the party.
• Neither of the students can go to the party.
• With object pronouns
• Both of them can go to the party.
• Either of them can go to the party.
• Neither of them can go to the party.

The word both has more uses. It can be used after a subject or object pronoun or before a plural noun.

• We both loved the movie. (after a subject pronoun)
• He gave us both a birthday present. (after an object pronoun)
• Both students passed the test.(before a plural noun)

 

Exercise - both/either/neither

Select the correct word.

1. I like pizza and you like pizza. We   both either neither like pizza.
     

2. You don't like coffee and I don't like coffee.   Both Either Neither of us likes coffee.
     

3. Bob lives in Chicago or Fran lives in Chicago.   Both Either Neither Bob or Fran lives in Chicago. I don't remember which one.
     

4. My son and my daughter like ice cream.   Both Either Neither children like ice cream.
     

5. My father and my mother are not retired.   Both Either Neither of my parents are retired.
     

6. Neither Gerry   and or nor Dana likes to watch TV.
     

7. I want either the red one   and or nor the blue one.
     

8. I need both that book   and or nor this one.
     

 

Instructions Identify the error in the following sentences and write the corrected version. example He are a teacher. → He is a teacher.  1. Either students can use the book.   2. Both house are blue.   3. Neither Bob or Joe can speak French.   4. Both of they speak Spanish.   5.  She gived both children a present.

 

Writing

Write a sentence using each of the words: both, either, and neither.

Write in the comments section below. Passport to English is a community of people who want to learn English for free. Please be supportive of each other. If you see a mistake in someone's writing, please respond with the correction. Remember that comments other than those written by Janet Castrejon (the author of this website) do not represent Passport to English. If someone posts inappropriate comments on this page, please send a message to [email protected] and include the page where you saw the comment.

 

 

Listening

 

Intermediate English - Lesson 6 - House
Vocabulary - Grammar - Listening - Dialogue - Reading - Spelling - Dictation - Game

 

Important Links

Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced - Teachers

Pronouns - Pronunciation Rules - Verbs - Irregular Verbs

Vocabulary - Grammar - Pronunciation - Spelling

Common Words - Study Abroad

Dialogues - Reading