Quick Answer: Either vs. Neither
The primary difference is between choice and negation. You cannot use them interchangeably.
Used for a choice between two options. (Positive) ✔ Correct
Used to mean “not one and not the other.” (Negative) ✔ Correct
Memory Trick: Think of Neither as Not Either.
Table of Contents
Choosing between either and neither often causes confusion because they look similar and perform similar grammatical functions. However, their meanings are opposites. Mastering this distinction is essential for clear communication, as mixing them up can reverse the meaning of your sentence.
How to Use “Either” Correctly
The word either is positive. It indicates a selection between two possibilities. You can think of it as “one or the other.” It functions as a determiner, a pronoun, an adverb, or a conjunction.
Core Function: One of Two
When you use either, you are offering a choice or stating that two options exist, but usually only one applies.
- “You can park on either side of the street.” (Meaning: Both sides are okay, pick one).
- “Do you want tea or coffee? Either is fine.” (Meaning: I am happy with one choice).
In negative sentences, either is used to agree with a negative statement made by someone else. This is a very common usage in daily English.
Person A: “I don’t like broccoli.”
Person B: “I don’t like it either.” ✔ Correct
(Do not say “I don’t like it neither.”)
How to Use “Neither” Correctly
The word neither is negative. It means “not the first one and not the second one.” Grammatically, it combines “not” and “either” into a single word.
When you use neither, you are rejecting both options available. It stands alone as a negative term, so you generally do not need to add another “not” in the sentence Source-1✅.
- “Neither shoe fits me.” (Meaning: The left one does not fit, and the right one does not fit).
- “I have visited London and Paris, but I liked neither.” (Meaning: I did not like London, and I did not like Paris).
- Mathematical Logic of Neither
- Neither = Not + Either
- Not X and Not Y = Neither X nor Y
The “Or” vs. “Nor” Rule
The most strict grammatical rule regarding these words is their pairing. You must pair them correctly when connecting two clauses or nouns.
Either always pairs with Or.
Neither always pairs with Nor.
| First Word | Paired With | Example Sentence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Either | Or | “We can eat either pizza or pasta.” | ✔ Correct |
| Neither | Nor | “I want neither pizza nor pasta.” | ✔ Correct |
| Either | Nor | “We can eat either pizza nor pasta.” | ✖ Wrong |
| Neither | Or | “I want neither pizza or pasta.” | ✖ Wrong |
Mixing these pairs (e.g., “Neither… or”) is a frequent mistake, even among native speakers, but it is considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing Source-2✅.
Subject-Verb Agreement (The Proximity Rule)
When you use either/or or neither/nor, deciding whether to use a singular or plural verb can be tricky. The standard rule is the Proximity Rule.
The verb should agree with the noun that is closest to it.
Singular Noun Closest
If the noun closest to the verb is singular, use a singular verb.
“Neither the players nor the coach is happy.”
(Coach is singular, so we use “is”).
Plural Noun Closest
If the noun closest to the verb is plural, use a plural verb.
“Neither the coach nor the players are happy.”
(Players is plural, so we use “are”).
If both nouns are singular, the verb is singular: “Either John or Mary is coming.”
Pronunciation: Ee-ther or Eye-ther?
You may hear people pronounce these words differently. Both pronunciations are fully accepted in English.
- US English: Typically pronounces it as /ˈiː.ðɚ/ (starts like “see”).
- UK English: Often pronounces it as /ˈaɪ.ðə/ (starts like “eye”).
The same applies to neither (nee-ther vs. nye-ther). You can use whichever sounds natural to you; just try to be consistent within a conversation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Below are the specific errors that trigger grammar checkers and confuse listeners. Pay attention to the Double Negative rule.
| Incorrect Sentence | Why It Is Wrong | Correct Version |
|---|---|---|
| “I don’t want neither of them.” | Double Negative. “Don’t” is negative, and “neither” is negative. You shouldn’t use two negatives. | “I don’t want either of them.” ✔ |
| “Neither of my parents like swimming.” | Agreement Error. Technically, “neither” acts as a singular pronoun (not one), so it often takes a singular verb in formal writing. | “Neither of my parents likes swimming.” ✔ |
| “I bought neither the red or the blue shirt.” | Mismatched Pair. Neither must pair with nor. | “I bought neither the red nor the blue shirt.” ✔ |
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Can I use “neither” for three or more things?
Strictly speaking, neither and either refer to two things. If you are discussing three or more items, the correct negative word is none. (e.g., “None of the three answers is correct,” rather than “Neither of the three…”). However, in modern informal usage, people sometimes use “neither” for multiple items, but “none” is the safer, more accurate choice.
Is it “me neither” or “me either”?
The standard phrase to agree with a negative statement is “Me neither.” Example: “I can’t swim.” -> “Me neither.” If you use “either,” you must include a negative verb: “I can’t either.” Saying “Me either” is common in casual US English but is technically less grammatically precise than “Me neither.”
Does “either” always imply a choice?
Usually, yes. However, “either” can sometimes mean “both” or “each” when referring to two sides of something. For example: “There were trees on either side of the road.” This implies trees were on the left side and the right side (both sides).
Can I start a sentence with “Neither”?
Yes, absolutely. Starting with Neither is a strong, formal way to make a negative statement about two subjects. Example: “Neither candidate was suitable for the job.”