The determiners both, either and neither are often confused. Both means this and that. Either means this or that. Neither means not this and not that.
Can you use these words correctly?
Fill in the blanks.
1. She has eaten ....................... of the chops.
We use both to refer to two people or things.
2. Alice sends you ........................ her love.
3. ............................. of us were ill so we didn't go to work.
Both means this and that. Either means this or that. Neither means not this and not that.
4. I don't like ......................... of my Grammar teachers.
Instead of not....both, we use either.
5. Rahul and Ravi .......................... went to the party.
Both means this and that.
6. ........................... of us play cricket regularly.
Both means this and that.
7. ........................... of us went to the party.
Both expressions are possible here with totally different meanings. Both means this and that. Neither means not this and not that.
8. I couldn't choose between them. I liked them ........................
Both means this and that.
9. You can take ........................... the apple or the orange. You can't have them ......................
Either is used before the first of two alternatives.
10. I don't think highly of .............................. of them.
Instead of not...both, we use either.
11. .................................... swim.
We do not normally use both...not. Instead we use neither.
12. I don't want ......................................
Neither is a negative word. We can't use it with not.
Answers
1. She has eaten both of the chops.
2. Alice sends you both her love.
3. Both of us were ill so we didn’t go to work.
4. I don’t like either of my Grammar teachers.
5. Rahul and Ravi both went to the party.
6. Both of us play cricket regularly.
7. Neither of us went to the party. / Both of us went to the party.
8. I couldn’t choose between them. I liked them both.
9. You can take either the apple or the orange. You can’t have them both.
10. I don’t think highly of either of them.
11. Neither of us can swim.
12. I don’t want either chocolate or cake.
