If youre writing for a particularly formal publication, though, you might want to stick to just two items when youre using either or or neither nor. When neither is used in a sentence, a singular verb is used as well as a singular noun. Here are some rules to remember when using both, neither or either both this and that either this or that neither not this and not that both is used with and e. He will neither come here nor send a representative.
In all examples below, a and b are the same parts of speech. On the other hand, the word neither is used before a singular noun when there is no article. I asked two people the way to the station but could help me. Well then, neither peter nor john will be able to come. I used to like playing bothfootball andbasketball when i was young. Using both and, either or, neither nor english study here. He neither attends the class regularly nor learns his lessons. This is a free beginner english grammar quiz and esl worksheet. These conjunctions connect two balanced clauses, phrases, or words. The verb is always in the affirmative and normally agrees in number with the second subject. There was a lot of snow on the both sides of california last year. Either, neither and both english grammar exercises and tests. According to context and to the grammar book you consult, they can be considered as quantifiers, adjectives, pronouns, correlating coordinators or adverbs.
From the american copy editors society a tricky agreement problem. Correlative conjunctions are pairs such as neither. Both, the two, neither, none, allboth my parents are both from paris. Either means both, one and neither means not either, none. See more about so, neither and either as short answers. Cats roam outside and often come home very late at night. If you found this english grammar about both either neither interesting or useful, let others know about it. If you make a sudden move in their direction, both either neither nor so. English lesson how to use both, either and neither. In this english lesson you will see learn how we use both, either and neither in english when referring to two people or things.
Either and neither exercise 2 perfect english grammar. Neither the manager nor his subordinates could give a satisfactory. Eitheror neithernor either or used when referring to a choice between two possibilities. Try our interactive game to practice the difference between both, either and neither. The two elements that correlative conjunctions connect are usually similar in length and grammatical structure. Rewrite the sentences using the paired conjunctions given in brackets. My grandpa neither likes nor cares about the technology. The verb agrees with the noun that is closer to it. The problem is that both, either and neither and in particular both have different functions. Both san diego and new york are very beautiful cities. Conjunctions are normally not very easy for students. Neither does mary nor does mary mary doesnt eat meat either. It is also implied that only one of the two will happen but not both.
But in order to write more complex sentences they have to know how to join their ideas more effectively. Dec 12, 2016 complete the sentences with both, neither, either. The presidents assistant will neither confirm nor deny the story. If both subjects are singular, the verb is singular too. The correlative conjunction eitheror is used to join two positive options. Either and neither can also come at the beginning of a sentence. He either keeps the keys himself or leaves them with his wife. So here is an online exercise where students have to link sentences and choose the correct paired conjunctions. Grammarians differ on this point, but theres a long history of both either or and neither nor being used for three or more items. Both michael and sarah got their christmas presents. Neithernor when two subjects are joined by neithernor or eitheror, choosing the right. For example, you are talking about going out to eat this evening. Exercise on both, either, neither, nor and so english.
We dont usually use this with a negative sentence, but use neither instead. Neither my friends nor my relatives could help me when we were in the hospital. Neither nor when two subjects are joined by neither nor or either or, choosing the right. In addition, they are also used wrongly quite often, so everything becomes even more unclear.
Ubungen zu both, either, neither, nor and so vokabeln englisch. Neither her roommates nor her brother knows where she is. She has neither eaten anything nor slept in two days. Use either when you talk about two things or people. But these two can be used in so many different contexts that their meanings can become confusing. May 27, 2011 on the other hand, the word neither is used before a singular noun when there is no article. It is used in positive structure but the meaning is negative. Complete the sentences with both, neither, either of us them. Understanding grammar is key to understanding a language.
The structure neithernor is used to join two negative ideas. You can use these words with a noun both books, neither book etc. Helen was drunkvery tired and i couldnt understand a word she was saying. Either is used in negative constructions, while neither is used in affirmative constructions. A common grammatical mistake that occurs when using the correlative conjunction neitheror is subject. Either and neither download this explanation in pdf here.
Either jacy or myra will help you with your children. English grammar tips with gymglish, online english lessons. Neither either and neither represent a pair of words frequently used in the english vocabulary. Neither chris nor her assistant was at the meeting. Neither the first book nor the second book was very good. We can either go to the movies or stay inside and watch netflix. Uncertain which one you can buy the shoes at either macys or penneys.