اللغة الإنجليزية — Either, Neither, Both: Usage and Differences — 2ثانوي — شعبة آداب — Algerian Curriculum

Either, Neither, Both: Usage and Differences

Either, neither, and both are used to talk about two people or things. They are important for BAC-level English.

Both

Refers to two things together (positive). Both my parents are teachers. / Both of them are students. Position: Both + noun, Both of + pronoun.

Either

Refers to one of two choices (positive question, or with OR). Either you or I will go. / You can have either tea or coffee. / I don’t like either of them (negative).

Neither

Refers to none of two (negative). Neither answer is correct. / Neither of them came. / Neither John nor Mary arrived.

Key pattern

Both…and (positive), Either…or (choice), Neither…nor (negative).

Exercises

1. Complete: You can have ___ tea ___ coffee.
2. Rewrite: John didn’t come. Mary didn’t come. → Neither John nor Mary came.