Difference between Neither and Either: Usage, Rules and Examples for English Students

‘Either of them is fine.’

‘Neither of them is correct.’

‘Do you want tea or coffee? Either is good for me.’

‘I do not like either option.’

‘She neither confirmed nor denied the report.’

Five sentences. Two words. And yet ‘either’ and ‘neither’ are among the most consistently confused pairs in English grammar.

Part of the confusion comes from the fact that both words deal with two things or two people, but they deal with them in opposite ways. ‘Either’ suggests one or the other, or both. ‘Neither’ means not one and not the other. Both words can function as pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, and conjunctions, and their grammar changes depending on which role they play.

This article covers everything a student needs to know about the difference between either and neither: what each word means, how each one is used as different parts of speech, how ‘either…or’ and ‘neither…nor’ work as correlative conjunctions, and subject-verb agreement rules. Examples are provided throughout, and practice exercises at the end build accuracy and confidence.

Table of Contents

• What Do Either and Neither Mean?
• Either and Neither as Pronouns
• Either and Neither as Adjectives (Determiners)
• Either and Neither as Adverbs
• Either…Or and Neither…Nor as Correlative Conjunctions
• Subject-Verb Agreement with Either and Neither
• Practice Exercises

What Do Either and Neither Mean?

Before looking at grammar rules, it is essential to understand the core meaning of each word clearly.

Either

• Pronunciation: EE-ther or EYE-ther (both are correct)

• Part of Speech: Pronoun, adjective, adverb, conjunction

• Core meaning: Either refers to one or the other of two things or people or, in some uses, both of two things. It is used in positive contexts, questions, and offers.

• Simple definition: When there are two options, 'either' means any one of them or both.

Examples:

• You can take either route; both lead to the same destination: one or the other, or both

• Does either of them know the answer?: one or the other

• There are trees on either side of the road: on both sides

Neither

• Pronunciation: NEE-ther or NYE-ther (both are correct)

• Part of Speech: Pronoun, adjective, adverb, conjunction

• Core meaning: Neither means not one and not the other of two things or people. It is the negative equivalent of either. It is used to indicate that two options both do not apply.

• Simple definition: When there are two options, 'neither' means not this one and not that one, both are excluded.

Examples:

• Neither of the answers is correct: not this one and not that one

• Neither student arrived on time: not the first student and not the second student

The relationship between Either and Neither

Either and neither are directly opposite in meaning. If either includes one or both of two options, neither excludes both.

Either = one or the other (positive)

Neither = not one and not the other (negative)

• Either team could win: one of them might win

• Neither team could win: neither of them managed to win

Either and Neither as Pronouns

When used as pronouns, either and neither replace a noun and refer to one or both (either) or none (neither) of two specific things or people.

Either as a Pronoun

As a pronoun, ‘either’ means one or the other of two things or people. It is used in positive sentences, questions, and conditional sentences. 

Structure: Either + of + the/these/those/posessive + plural noun

Examples:

• Either of the books will do; choose whichever you prefer.

• Either of the candidates has the experience required for this role.

• Has either of your sisters visited the exhibition?

• I have two pens; you can use either.

Note: When ‘either’ is used as a pronoun in formal English, it takes a singular verb.

• Either of the options is acceptable: singular verb ‘is’

• Either of the students has completed the task: singular verb ‘has’

In informal spoken English, a plural verb is sometimes heard, but singular is always correct in formal written English.

Neither as a Pronoun

As a pronoun, ‘neither’ means not one and not the other of two things or people.

Structure: Neither + of + the/these/those/posessive + plural noun

Examples:

• Neither of the answers is correct.

• Neither of the students was present at the meeting.

• I tried both doors but neither would open.

• Neither of them understood the instruction the first time.

‘Neither’ always takes a singular verb in formal English when used as a pronoun.

• Neither of the proposals was accepted: singular verb ‘was’

• Neither of the children has eaten yet: singular verb ‘has’

Either and Neither as Pronouns: Comparison

• Either of the two rooms is available; you may choose: one or the other is available

• Neither of the two rooms is available; both are occupied: not one and not the other is available

Either and Neither as Adjectives (Determiners)

When used as adjectives, also called determiners, either and neither come before a singular noun and describe it.

Either as an Adjective

As an adjective, ‘either’ means each of two or one or the other of two. It always comes before a singular noun.

Structure: Either + singular noun

Examples:

• There is a cafe on either side of the street: on each of the two sides

• Either answer could be argued as correct depending on the interpretation.

• The student can complete either section first; the order does not matter.

• Either door leads to the same corridor.

Note: When ‘either’ is used as an adjective meaning ‘each of two’, it is often used with words that indicate physical sides or positions: either side, either end, either direction.

• Trees lined either side of the avenue: both sides

• She held a child by either hand: each hand

Neither as an Adjective

As an adjective, ‘neither’ means not one and not the other. It always comes before a singular noun.

 Structure: Neither + singular noun

Examples:

• Neither student was responsible for the missing equipment.

• Neither suggestion was practical given the time constraints.

• Neither attempt was successful; they will have to try a different approach.

• Neither teacher had been informed about the change in schedule.

Key Rule for Both as Adjectives

When either or neither is used as an adjective, the noun that follows must always be singular, never plural.

• Correct: Either option is fine.

• Incorrect: Either options are fine.

• Correct: Neither student was late.

• Incorrect: Neither students were late.

Either and Neither as Adjectives: Comparison

• Either candidate would be a strong choice for the position: one or the other, both are good

• Neither candidate was suitable for the position: not one and not the other; both are rejected

Either and Neither as Adverbs

Both either and neither can function as adverbs. This is where their usage is perhaps the most distinctive and where students most often make mistakes.

Either as an Adverb

As an adverb, ‘either’ is used at the end of a negative sentence to add emphasis or agreement. It functions similarly to ‘too’, but specifically in negative contexts.

• ‘Too’ is used in positive sentences: I like it too.
• ‘Either’ is used in negative sentences: I don’t like it either.

Structure: Negative sentence + either (at the end)

Examples:

• She did not enjoy the film, and he didn’t either.

• I cannot understand this explanation, and my classmate cannot either.

• She has never been to that museum, and I haven’t either.

• He did not receive the message, and they did not either.

Neither as an Adverb

As an adverb, ‘neither’ is used at the beginning of a short response to agree with a negative statement. It is equivalent to ‘nor’ in this use and requires subject-verb inversion.

Structure: Neither + auxiliary verb + subject

Examples:

• She doesn’t like loud music. Neither do I. (meaning: I don’t either)

• He has never visited Paris. Neither have I.

• They cannot attend the meeting. Neither can we.

• I did not enjoy the lecture. Neither did she.

The Key Difference between Either and Neither as Adverbs

Both express agreement with a negative statement, but they are structured differently.

• Neither do I: subject-verb inversion; 'neither' comes first

• I don’t either: 'either' comes at the end, normal sentence order

Both sentences mean the same thing, that the speaker is also in the negative situation described.

She doesn’t eat meat.

• Response option 1: Neither do I. (using neither as an adverb)

• Response option 2: I don’t either. (using either as an adverb)

More examples showing both:

 1. Statement: He cannot swim.

• Response with neither: Neither can she.

• Response with either: She cannot swim either.

2. Statement:They did not submit the assignment on time.

• Response with neither: Neither did we.

• Response with either: We did not submit it on time either.

Either…Or and Neither…Nor as Correlative Conjunctions

The most complex and important use of either and neither is as part of correlative conjunctions, paired connecting words that link two equal grammatical elements.

Either…Or

‘Either…or’ presents two options or alternatives. It means one or the other, possibly both, of two things.

Structure: Either + [option 1] + or + [option 2]

Examples:

• Either the teacher or the student left the door open.

• You can either stay and finish the work or leave now and complete it tomorrow.

• Either the project will succeed, or significant changes will need to be made.

• She is either very tired or very bored; it is difficult to tell.

• Either you apologise, or I will report the matter to the principal.

Neither…Nor

‘Neither…nor’ excludes both options. It means not the first thing and not the second thing. It is the negative equivalent of ‘either…or’.

Structure: Neither + [option 1] + nor + [option 2]

Examples:

• Neither the teacher nor the student was responsible.

• She is neither angry nor upset; she is simply quiet.

• The report was neither accurate nor well-organised.

• He neither confirmed nor denied the rumour.

• Neither the food nor the service was satisfactory.

What Either…Or and Neither…Nor can Connect

Both pairs can connect nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, phrases and clauses, as long as the elements on both sides are grammatically parallel.

Connecting nouns:

• Either the principal or the vice-prinicpal will attend: two nouns

• Neither rain nor wind stopped the event: two nouns

Connecting adjectives:

• The design is either bold or understated; there is no middle ground:  two adjectives

• The result was neither surprising nor disappointing: two adjectives

Connecting verbs:

• She will either accept or reject the offer today: two verbs

• He neither called nor wrote: two verbs

Connecting clauses:

• Either she will come to us, or we will go to her: two clauses

• Neither was the evidence conclusive, nor was the argument convincing: two clauses

Parallel Structure: An Important Rule

When using either…or or neither…nor, the elements on both sides of the conjunction must be grammatically parallel, the same grammatical form.

• Correct: She is either a teacher or a researcher. (noun + noun)

• Incorrect: She is either a teacher or researching. (noun + gerund phrase)

• Correct: He neither arrived on time nor informed us of the delay. (verb phrase + verb phrase)

• Incorrect: He neither was on time nor he informed us. (mixing structures)

Subject-Verb Agreement with Either and Neither

Subject-verb agreement with either and neither is one of the most tested grammar points in English examinations. The rules are specific and must be learned carefully.

Rule 1: Either and Neither as Pronouns or Adjectives (Singular Verb)

When either or neither is used alone as a pronoun or as an adjective before a singular noun, the verb is singular.

• Either is acceptable: singular verb

• Neither is correct: singular verb

• Either of the students has submitted the work: singular verb

• Neither of the options was discussed: singular verb

Rule 2: Either…Or (Verb Agrees with the Closer Subject)

When ‘either…or’ connects two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it, the subject immediately before the verb.

• Either the teacher or the students are responsible: students (plural) is closer, so ‘are’

• Either the students or the teacher is responsible: teacher (singular) is closer, so ‘is’

• Either she or I am going to present: I is closer, so ‘am’

• Either the manager or the assistants handle this: assistants (plural) is closer, so ‘handle’

Rule 3: Neither…Nor (Verb Agrees with the Closer Subject)

The same proximity rule applies to ‘neither…nor’.

• Neither the principal nor the teachers were informed: teachers (plural) is closer, so ‘were’

• Neither the teachers nor the principal was informed: principal (singular) is closer, so ‘was’

• Neither she nor I was present: I is closer, so ‘was’

• Neither the students nor the teacher has arrived: teacher (singular) is closer, so ‘has’

The proximity rule simplified:

Look at the subject closest to the verb. Make the verb agree with that subject.

• Either A or B: agree with B
• Neither A nor B: agree with B

Rule 4: In Informal English, Plural Verbs are Sometimes Used

In informal speech, plural verbs are sometimes used with neither and either even when the subject is singular. However, in formal written English and academic contexts, the singular verb rules above should always be followed.

• Informal (spoken): Neither of them are coming.

• Formal (written): Neither of them is coming.

Practice Exercises

A. Choose the correct word, either or neither, to complete each sentence.

1. __________ of the two answers is correct; both are wrong.
2. She does not enjoy classical music, and I do not __________.
3. __________ of the two candidates was selected for the final round.
4. You can take __________ road; they both lead to the station.
5. He __________ confirmed nor denied the allegation.
6. I have visited __________ Paris nor London; I have never been to Europe.
7. Does __________ of the two students know the answer?
8. The package arrived with __________ a label nor a return address.

B. Complete each sentence with the correct pair: either…or or neither…nor.

1. She will __________ accept the offer __________ decline it today.
2. __________ the food __________ the service was satisfactory at the restaurant.
3. The student can __________ submit the work online __________ hand it in personally.
4. He __________ called __________ sent a message to inform us of the delay.
5. You must __________ study harder __________ accept the consequences.
6. __________ the principal __________ the vice-principal was available for the meeting.
7. The report was __________ accurate __________ well-presented.
8. She will __________ stay for dinner __________ leave before seven.

C. Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.

1. Either of the two rooms (is / are) available for the session.
2. Neither of the students (was / were) prepared for the sudden test.
3. Either the teacher or the students (is / are) responsible for the decision.
4. Neither the manager nor the assistants (has / have) been informed yet.
5. Either the director or his assistant (attend / attends) every weekly briefing.
6. Neither the reports nor the presentation (was / were) ready on time.
7. Either side or I (am / is) going to represent the school at the event.
8. Neither of the proposals (seem / seems) feasible within the given budget.

D. Each sentence below contains one error related to either or neither. Find and correct it.

1. I do not want neither of the options on the menu.
2. Neither students were present when the announcement was made.
3. She cannot swim. Either can her brother.
4. He is either going to succeed or failing; there is no middle ground.
5. Either the manager or the staff are responsible. (assume manager is closer)
6. Neither of the three books is what I was looking for.
7. She didn’t enjoy the trip, and neither I did.
8. Either she will come nor she will send a representative.

E. Rewrite each pair of sentences as one response using either as an adverb or neither as an adverb.

1. She does not enjoy waking up early. [agree using ‘neither’]
2. He cannot attend the ceremony. [agree using ‘either’]
3. They have never visited the science museum. [agree using ‘neither’]
4. I did not understand the final chapter. [agree using ‘either’]
5. She has not submitted her assignment yet. [agree using ‘neither’]