Either or neither grammar girl book

See more about so, neither and either as short answers. Either orneither nor a free english exercise to learn english. But if you use neither, then make sure your sentence does not have any other negatives preceding it. I dont like going to the beach when it is cold outside. When or or nor joins two things, use a singular verb if both things are singular. When used as an adjective either means one or the other of two people or things, and neither means not one or the other of two people or things. Either, neither, both examples, how to use speakspeak. Neither, neither nor and not either english grammar. The problem is that both, either and neither and in particular both have different functions. When we heard the good news, we were bothhappy and excited.

Grammar practice page students learn that some compound subjects are joined by conjunction pairs, such as either or and neither nor. It is used in positive structure but the meaning is negative. If one or both of the alternatives are plural, use a plural verb. So neither either differences and use english grammar rules. You may either go to the library or a book store to get a copy of the required reading materials. However, if one of the things is plural, use a plural verb.

Those who just want to write inoffensive standard english are advised to go with the conventional rule that either is used with or and neither is used with nor. Cats roam outside and often come home very late at night. So pair either and neither with singular verbs under the first condition and match the subject closest to the verb for the second condition. Either neither both paired conjunctions 2 examples a. If you prefer to use a negative, then you want to use either. Sometimes you can use either one and sometimes you have to choose either one or the other, but neither one is very difficult. The pairing neither nor plays a negative role, so take care to avoid an unintended double negative. Test your understanding with this grammar exercise. She has appeared as a guest on the oprah winfrey show and the today show and has been featured in the new york times, business week, the washington post, usa today, and more. It should be neither of the boys was in the library just now. He hadnt done any homework, neither had he brought any of his books. Describes a noun or pronounfor example, a tall girl, an interesting book, a big house. However, if one of the elements is plural, then use a plural verb.

He either keeps the keys himself or leaves them with his wife. Neither is used as a pronoun which means not the one nor the other of two people or things. Neither indicates that the two ideas are linked together. Neither of the boys were in the library just now or neither of the boys was in the library just now. Despite being just a single letter apart from each other, the two words either vs. Neither side of the brain is dominant over the other. Mignon is the author of the new york times bestseller grammar girl s quick and dirty tips for better writing and six other books on writing. Home page for english grammar today on cambridge dictionary. Neither is singular and requires a singular verb is. Neither makes a negative statement about two people or things. You cannot mix them, but often the word either is omitted. Comma between correlative conjunction sets grammarly.

Appearing in two volumes in 1843 under the pseudonymous editorship of victor. The english words either and neither can cause some problems for native and nonnative speakers of english. Me either, me neither todays word column deals with the rareish belief that to. This structure, neither nor, is used to connect the same kind of word or phrase in the sentence. Write complex business rules in a nocode editor appian. Nor doesnt necessarily have to appear in a sentence with the word neither. Either and neither are used in almost the same way as so and too, but they are used with negative verbs. Neither is paired with nor and either is paired with or. In fiction, use your judgment about characters using improper grammar with either or neither. Either you pay your debt to me or i take you to court.

What is the difference between neither and either, and how. If you found this english grammar about both either neither. We use either before the first of two alternatives specified. Learn about the different ways that you can agree with negative sentences in english conversation using either and neither. After neither and either you use a singular verb neither candidate was selected for the job. You can use these words with a noun both books, neither book etc. Use the names of your classmates and appropriate auxiliaries.

Neither leila nor nancy is going to write the report. Try our interactive game to practice the difference between both, either and neither. While either has a positive connotation, neither holds a negative significance. Standard dictionaries generally accept the use of either or neither. Complete the sentences by using too, so, either, or neither. Note well, however, that there seems to be a bit of disagreement on whether or not neither. According to context and to the grammar book you consult, they can be considered as. Either and neither, singular or plural the editors blog. Either goes at the end of the sentence after the negative helping verb, and neither. If you are unsure how to use either and neither, do not worry much many native english speakers are frustrated by the same problem. He will neither come here nor send a representative.

Neither of and either of are followed by a plural noun or pronoun and a singular or plural verb. Either the boys or the girls have hidden the sweets. Note how we use the plural word surfers at the end there to keep everything in agreement. Use a plural verb if one or both elements are plural. So neither the men nor the woman is a good surfer is correct, as is neither the woman nor the men are good surfers. How to use either, neither, or and nor kaplan blog.