GV

Neither...Nor and Either...Or

Negative pairs: neither...nor, either...or, not...either

intermediate

When to Use Neither...Nor and Either...Or

  • •Neither...nor: negative for both. Neither John nor Mary came.
  • •Either...or: choice between two. Either stay or leave.
  • •Not...either: negative alternative. I don't like it either.
  • •Neither do I: agreeing with negative. 'I don't smoke.' 'Neither do I.'
  • •Either works too: 'I don't smoke.' 'I don't either.'

How to Form Neither...Nor and Either...Or

Affirmative (+)

Either X or Y (positive choice)

Negative (-)

Neither X nor Y (both negative); Not X either

Question (?)

Do you want either X or Y?

💡 Neither...nor is already negative; don't add 'not'. Verb agrees with nearest subject.

Examples of Neither...Nor and Either...Or

✓Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.

✗Neither the teacher nor the students was ready.

Verb agrees with nearest subject (students = plural).

✓I don't like coffee. I don't like tea either.

✗I don't like coffee. I don't like tea neither.

Use 'either' with 'don't', not 'neither'.

✓Neither of them knows the answer.

✗Neither of them don't know the answer.

Neither is already negative.

Common Mistakes with Neither...Nor and Either...Or

💡 Practice Tips for Neither...Nor and Either...Or

  • • Neither...nor = both negative (no additional 'not').
  • • Either...or = positive choice between two.
  • • Not...either = negative alternative at end.
  • • Verb agreement: match the nearest subject.
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.Neither John   Mary came to the party.
  2. 2.I don't like coffee. I don't like tea  .
  3. Question 3: Neither the teacher nor the students blank (be) ready. (verb agrees with nearest subject)
    3.Neither the teacher nor the students (be) ready. (verb agrees with nearest subject)
  4. Question 4: Fix the double negative: I don't like neither option. → I don't like blank option.
    4.Fix the double negative: I don't like neither option. → I don't like option.
  5. Question 5: Agree with a negative: 'I don't smoke.' 'blank do I.' (one word)
    5.Agree with a negative: 'I don't smoke.' ' do I.' (one word)
  6. Question 6: Make a positive choice: blank stay or leave — it's up to you.
    6.Make a positive choice: stay or leave — it's up to you.
  7. Question 7: Fix: Neither of them don't know the answer. → Neither of them blank the answer.
    7.Fix: Neither of them don't know the answer. → Neither of them the answer.
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