Both, Either and Neither: Rules, Word Order and Examples

Use both when something is true for two people or things together. Both is plural, so it takes a plural noun and a plural verb: Both films are good.

We can put both before a noun (both films), before the, my, these and similar words with or without of (both the films, both of the films), or before an object pronoun with of (both of them). Both can also stand alone as a pronoun when the meaning is clear: Which one do you want? Both!

Both is only for two. For three or more, use all: All three films are good. Do not use both for one thing that has two parts unless you mean the two parts: Both her hands were cold.

Both can also come after the subject, in the middle of the sentence. The position is the same as for words like all and always: after be and after auxiliary verbs (can, have, will), but before the main verb.

So we say They are both doctors, We have both finished, and We both live in Izmir. You can also put both after an object pronoun: I love you both. I'll call them both tomorrow.

For a negative idea about two people or things, use neither instead of both with not: Neither of us went is clearer and more natural than Both of us didn't go.

Either means one or the other of two, and it doesn't matter which. Neither means not one and not the other. Both words take a singular noun and usually a singular verb: Either day is fine. Neither phone works.

Neither is already negative, so do not add not or another negative word: Neither answer is right, not Neither answer isn't right. If the verb is negative, use either instead: I don't like either of them means the same as I like neither of them. In everyday speech, the not either version is more common.

With either of and neither of + a plural noun or pronoun, the verb is singular in careful writing (Neither of them is ready), but a plural verb is very common in speech (Neither of them are ready). Both are accepted in conversation; use the singular in exams and formal writing.

Either can also mean each of the two, especially with side and end: There are shops on either side of the street.

These three pairs join two words or phrases of the same type: two nouns, two adjectives, two verbs or two longer phrases.

Both A and B adds the two together and takes a plural verb: Both the kitchen and the bathroom need cleaning. Either A or B gives a choice of two: You can either call me or send a message. Neither A nor B says that the two are not true: The room was neither clean nor quiet.

With either or and neither nor, the verb agrees with the second subject, the one nearest to it. Neither nor is fairly formal; in conversation people often say not either or instead: I don't eat meat or fish. Read more about joining ideas in conjunctions and in linking words in English.

When someone says something and it is also true for you, English uses short replies. For a positive statement, say So do I or, informally, Me too. For a negative statement, say Neither do I, Nor do I or, informally, Me neither.

The auxiliary must match the statement: do for the present simple, did for the past simple, can, have, am, was and so on for others. After neither and so, the auxiliary comes before the subject: Neither can I, So have I.

You can also add either at the end of a negative sentence to show that you agree: I didn't see it. I didn't see it either. In American English, Me either is common in speech, but Me neither is accepted everywhere. The same idea in positive sentences uses too: I saw it too.

Either and neither each have two accepted pronunciations: ⁄ˈiːðər⁄ and ⁄ˈaɪðər⁄ for either, and ⁄ˈniːðər⁄ and ⁄ˈnaɪðər⁄ for neither. In American English the first sound, like ee, is more common. In British English both are common. Choose one and use it consistently.

Both is pronounced ⁄boʊθ⁄, with the th sound at the end, as in think. Learners sometimes say it like boat; keep your tongue between your teeth at the end. See th sound pronunciation for practice.

In conversation, these words are most useful for making choices and agreeing with people. When someone offers you two options, Either is fine and Both sound great are friendly, easy answers. When you don't want either option, I don't mind is a polite alternative to Neither.

You will hear Me neither and Me too all the time in small talk. Use them to build rapport: they show that you share someone's experience. See small talk in English for more natural replies.

Remember the number two. Both, either and neither always talk about two things. For a group of three or more, switch to all, any and none: All of my friends, Any of the days, None of the answers.