We use either before the first of two alternatives specified. It means one or the other of two people or things. Neither means ‘not one nor the other of two’.
Can you use either and neither correctly? Test your understanding with this grammar exercise.
Fill in the blanks.
1I don't like ............... of my science teachers.
Wrong!
Use "either" after a negative verb to mean one or the other of two people or things.
2You don't like him, do you? I don't ...............
Wrong!
Use "either" after a negative short answer to mean also not.
3Peter isn't here today. Martha isn't ...............
Wrong!
Use "either" after a negative verb to add the same negative idea.
4I like ............... of them.
Wrong!
Use "neither" with an affirmative verb to mean not one and not the other.
5I am ............... a conservative nor a liberal.
Wrong!
Use "neither" in the structure "neither... nor" to connect two negative alternatives.
6He didn't remember, and ............... did I.
Wrong!
Use "neither" before an auxiliary verb and subject to mean also not.
7............... of them invited me, so I didn't go.
Wrong!
Use "Neither" to mean not one and not the other of two people.
8............... of them seemed interested in the offer.
Wrong!
Use "Neither" to mean not one and not the other of two people.
9Mary didn't turn up, and ............... did Ruth.
Wrong!
Use "neither" before an auxiliary verb and subject to mean also not.
10John didn't pass the test, and Peter didn't ...............
Wrong!
Use "either" after a negative verb to add the same negative idea.
11He ............... smiled, spoke, nor looked at me.
Wrong!
Use "neither" in the structure "neither... nor" before a list of negative actions.
12Alice can't dance, and ...............
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "Stella can't either" and "neither can Stella" correctly add the same negative idea.
Answers
- I don’t like either of my science teachers.
- You don’t like him, do you? I don’t either
- Peter isn’t here today. Martha isn’t either
- I like neither of them.
- I am neither a conservative nor a liberal.
- He didn’t remember, and neither did I.
- Neither of them invited me, so I didn’t go.
- Neither of them seemed interested in the offer.
- Mary didn’t turn up, and neither did Ruth.
- John didn’t pass the test, and Peter didn’t either
- He neither smiled, spoke, nor looked at me.
- Alice can’t dance, and Stella can’t either / neither can Stella