Remember that 'either' is when there are two choices. For example, "You can have either ice cream or jelly but you can't have both." We use 'neither' with negatives such as, "I want neither chocolate nor ice cream. I'm on a diet."
I'd like neither thank you.
Examples with either:
- Which of these books do you want to borrow? ~ I don't want either of them, thanks.
- I've worked with you for 5 years but I haven't met either of your two children yet.
- I can't make the staff meeting on Monday. ~ No, I can't either.
Examples with neither:
- Neither Lindsay nor Karl are coming to the party on Saturday.
- Neither of my brothers went to university.
- Which of these hats are yours? ~ Neither are mine.
- I can't make the staff meeting on Friday. ~ No, neither can I.
Watch the video for more examples in a minute.
Now test yourself with a quiz.
Are the sentences correct or incorrect?
- Do you fancy eating now or later? ~ Either is fine.
Correct.
- This is a good bar and it's not expensive neither.
Incorrect. This is a good bar and it's not expensive either.
- Neither candidate is right for the job.
Correct. Or either candidate is right for the job.
