Both, Either and Neither
These three words are used to talk about two people or things but in different ways.
Both (+ plural noun) = this and that
Both means the two things together.
- Both of my sons are happy.
- Both Tim and Ann came to the party.
Either (+ singular noun) = this or that
Either means one or the other (it doesn't matter which).
- Either of my sons can help you.
= it doesn't matter which one, any one of them can do it - You can take either the red one or the blue one.
= pick any one of them that you like
Neither (+ singular nouns) = not this and not that
Neither means none of the two. It's often used in a structure: Neither... nor....
- Neither of my sons is happy about it.
= none of my sons - Neither Tim nor Ann came to the party.
= not Tim, not Ann
Quick reference
- both + plural noun → the two together
- either + singular noun→ one or the other
- neither + singular noun, Neither... nor... → not one and not the other
