Unit 81: both / either / neither

Master dual pronouns for two people or things

A. both / either / neither (two things or people)

both
either
neither
• Rosemary has two children. Both are married. (Both = the two children)
• Would you like tea or coffee? You can have either. (= tea or coffee)
• A: Do you want to go to the cinema or the theatre?
• B: Neither. I want to stay at home. (Neither = not the cinema or the theatre)

Compare either and neither:

'Would you like tea or coffee?'
'Either. I don't mind.' (= tea or coffee)
'Neither.' (= not tea or coffee)

B. both / either / neither + noun

both + plural: both windows/books/children etc.
either / neither + singular: either / neither window/book/child etc.
• Last year I went to Paris and Rome. I liked both cities very much.
• This I worked in an office, and later in a shop. Neither job was very interesting.
• There are two ways from here to the station. You can go either way.

C. both of ... / either of ... / neither of ...

both of these / those ...
either / neither of my / your / Ann's ... etc.
• Neither of my parents is English.
• I haven't read either of these books.

You can say both of (the ...) / both (of) those ... / both (of) my ... etc. (with or without of):

• I like both of those pictures. or I like both those pictures.
• Both of Ann's sisters are married. or Both Ann's sisters are married.

D. both of them / neither of us etc.

both of them
either / neither of us
• Ann has got two sisters. Both of them are married.
• Tom and I didn't eat anything. Neither of us was hungry.
• 'Who are those two people?' 'I don't know either of them.'

both (two things)

Both my parents are teachers. → Both of them are teachers.
I like both these jackets. → I bought both of them.

either / neither (choice or none)

You can have either book. → Take either of them.
Neither answer is correct. → Neither of them is correct.

With of / without of

Both of my friends came. = Both my friends came.
Neither of the shops was open. = Neither shop was open.

81.1 Put in both/either/neither. Use of where necessary.

  1. Last year I went to Paris and Rome. I liked both cities very much.
  2. There were two pictures on the wall. I didn't like .
  3. It was a good football match. teams played well.
  4. It wasn't a good football match. team played well.
  5. 'Is your friend English or American?' '. She's Australian.'
  6. We went away for two days but the weather wasn't good. It rained on days.
  7. A: I bought two newspapers. Which one do you want?
    B: . It doesn't matter which one.
  8. I invited Diana and Mike to the party but came.
  9. 'Do you go to work by car or by bus?' '. I always walk.'
  10. 'Which jacket do you prefer, this one or that one?' 'I don't like .
  11. 'Do you work or are you a student?' '. I've got a job and I study too.'
  12. Paula and I didn't know the time because had a watch.
  13. Ann has got two sisters and a brother. sisters are married.
  14. Ann has got two sisters and a brother. I've met her brother but I haven't met her sisters.

81.2 Complete the sentences for the pictures. Use both ... and neither ...

2 cups empty

1

2 doors open

2

2 men with hat

3

2 women with glasses

4

2 people to airport

5

1 camera

6

  1. Both cups are empty.
  2. are open.
  3. are wearing a hat.
  4. is wearing glasses.
  5. are going to the airport.
  6. is right.

81.3 A man and a woman answered some questions. Their answers were the same. Write sentences with both/neither of them ...

Question
Man
Woman
1. Are you married?
No
No
2. How old are you?
21
21
3. Are you a student?
Yes
Yes
4. Have you got a car?
No
No
5. Where do you live?
London
London
6. Do you like cooking?
Yes
Yes
7. Can you play the piano?
No
No
8. Do you read newspapers?
Yes
Yes
9. Are you interested in sport?
No
No
  1. Neither of them is married.
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Interactive English Grammar • Unit 81 • Page 170-171