Both, either, neither

As determiners and pronouns, both, either and neither talk about two people or things. The one you need depends on what you want to say: both = the two together, either = one or the other, neither = not one and not the other. (Either and neither also have a separate job agreeing with a negative statement — I don't either, Neither do I — covered further down.)

The quick shortcut. Both is positive and plural (Both books are good). Either offers a free choice between two (Take either seat) or appears in negatives/questions. Neither is the negative of both — "not this one and not that one" (Neither answer is correct).

Both: the two together

Both says something is true for each of the two — they're grouped together, not separated:

• Both films were great. (= this film was great, and that film was great)
• I like both colours.
• Both of the boys can swim. — with of, both is followed by a determiner (the/my/these…) or a pronoun.
• Both of them are coming.

When both doesn't come right before a noun, it moves next to the verb — after the subject, or after be:

• We both enjoyed the film.
• They are both tired.
• I've invited them both. / I've invited both of them. — both positions work here.

Both...and...

Use both...and... to link two things you're saying together:

• She speaks both English and French.
• Both my brother and my sister live abroad.

Either: one or the other

Either talks about one of the two, and it usually doesn't matter which:

• You can sit in either chair. (this one or that one — your choice)
• Either of the trains will get you there.

Either also appears in negatives and questions about two things, similar to how any works for three or more:

• I don't like either film. (= I don't like this one and I don't like that one)
• Have you read either book?

A useful rule: with a singular noun, either takes a singular verb — ✅ Either day suits me, never ❌ Either day suit me. With either of + plural noun/pronoun, the verb is technically singular too (Either of them is fine), though are is common and accepted in everyday speech.

Either...or...

Use either...or... to present a choice between two options:

• You can have either tea or coffee.
• Either Tom or Sam will pick you up.

When either...or... joins two subjects, the verb usually agrees with the noun closest to it: Either the twins or their mother is coming. / Either their mother or the twins are coming.

Neither: not one and not the other

Neither means "not either one" — not this one, and not that one:

• Neither answer is correct. (not answer A, not answer B)
• Neither of the trains stops here.

Neither already carries a negative meaning, so it takes a positive verb, not a negative one: ✅ Neither book is mine, never ❌ Neither book isn't mine. And because neither is already negative, don't add not or don't around it either: ✅ I like neither option, never ❌ I don't like neither option (a double negative).

With neither of + plural noun/pronoun, a singular verb is the traditional/formal choice — Neither of them is ready — but plural agreement (Neither of them are ready) is also very common in everyday speech, especially in British English.

Neither...nor...

Use neither...nor... to say something is false for both of two things:

• Neither Tom nor Sam came to the party.
• The film was neither exciting nor funny.

As with either...or, the verb usually agrees with the subject closest to it: Neither the manager nor the employees were informed. If mixing a singular and a plural subject sounds awkward, put the plural one nearer the verb, or rewrite the sentence.

Short responses: So do I and Neither do I

Neither has one more common job — agreeing with a negative statement, the mirror image of so agreeing with a positive one:

• A: I don't like coffee. B: Neither do I. (= I don't either)
• A: I can't swim. B: Neither can I.
• A: She isn't ready. B: Neither am I.

The pattern is neither + affirmative auxiliary + subject — the auxiliary is the same type as in the first sentence (don't → do, can't → can, isn't → am), but it's not put in the negative again: ❌ Neither don't I is wrong. Nor works the same way and is a little more formal: A: I don't like coffee. B: Nor do I. The word either can also agree with a negative, but at the end of the sentence: A: I don't like coffee. B: I don't either.

Both, either or neither — quick comparison

As determiners and pronouns, think of both/either/neither as words for two. For three or more, you need all (positive), any (negative/question) and none instead — ✅ None of the three cafés is open, never ❌ Neither of the three cafés is open.

Common mistakes

• ❌ I don't like neither of them. → ✅ I like neither of them. / I don't like either of them. (don't double up the negative)
• ❌ Neither book isn't mine. → ✅ Neither book is mine. (neither is already negative)
• ❌ Both of book are good. → ✅ Both of the books are good. (of needs a determiner before a plural noun)
• ❌ Either of the three answers is correct. → ✅ Any of the three answers is correct. (either/neither only work for two — use any for three or more)

Quick check

Choose the correct option:

1. I've tried both restaurants and ____ of them was very good. (either / neither)
2. You can park on ____ side of the street. (either / neither)
3. A: I can't drive. B: ____ can I. (So / Neither)
4. ____ of the two answers is correct — you can pick one of them. (Both / Either)
5. ____ my mother nor my father speaks English. (Either / Neither)
6. I don't want ____ option, actually. (either / neither)

Key takeaways

• Both talks about two things together and takes a plural verb: Both books are good.
• Either offers a free choice between two, or appears in negatives/questions: either chair; I haven't seen either film.
• Neither means "not either one" — and already carries the negative meaning, so don't add not/don't as well.
• Both...and, either...or, neither...nor link two items; with either/neither...or/nor, the verb usually agrees with the nearer subject.
• Neither do I / Nor do I agree with a negative statement, mirroring So do I for a positive one.
• All three are only for two — use all/any/none once there are three or more.