Either, neither: use, rules, examples and exercises

Many grammar topics require a more detailed consideration, since knowledge gaps significantly complicate not only the process of transmitting information in the language being studied, but also the understanding of native speakers.

General information

One of the important topics is the words either, neither. The use of these lexical units has certain characteristics, since in different cases they can act as an adverb, pronoun or union. They are also used in various designs.

As for the pronunciation of neither / either, the phonetics rule allows two options. The difference is due only to the peculiarities of the dialects. The stress falls on the first syllable.

• In Great Britain they speak mainly [aɪðə], [naɪðə].
• In the United States and some northern regions of England, the variant [i: ðə], [ni: ðə] is common.

The following are some cases of the use of the words either / neither, the use as different parts of speech, as well as in some stable expressions.

Features of the use of different translations of "also" and "also"

The most common translations of the words "too," "also" are the English equivalents of too, also. However, there are constructions in which the use of these words will be a mistake.

How is the Russian phrase "me too" translated? It all depends on the answer to which statement this expression will be. If the interlocutor’s proposal was affirmative, to which you want to answer “me too,” then too is used. If you want to say "me too" in response to a negative statement, then use the phrase me neither. In the case when you answer the phrase of the interlocutor and use the particle not , you should put either .

Consider the following examples:

• I like juice. - Me too . (I love juice. - Me too.)
• I don't like juice. - Me neither . (I don't like juice. - Me either.)
• I don't like tea. - I don't like tea either . (I do not like tea. - I also do not like tea). Or neither do I. (I also do not like.)

The first two cases are very simple to understand. If the phrase "I, too," is the answer to the affirmative statement of the interlocutor, you use the phrase me too. If you agree with the negative offer, then answer me neither. The third case involves a combination of the particle not and the adverb either in one sentence.

Neither / either: construct rule "either ... or ...", "neither ... nor ..."

In such expressions, the aforementioned words act as unions. The equivalent of the Russian construction "either ... or ..." is the English formula either ... or. That is, the first "or" translates as either, and the second as or. This expression is used in those cases when it comes to choosing between two units, but only one can be chosen.

Examples:

• Either you make an apology now or I'll tell your mother. “Either you apologize now, or I will tell your mother.”
• They want to go either to Argentina or to Venezuela for winter holidays. “They want to go on a winter vacation to either Argentina or Venezuela.”

When you need to translate a sentence containing the words "neither ... nor", the English construction neither ... nor is used.

Examples:

• Neither Mary nor Ann brought this book. - Neither Maria nor Anna brought this book.
• You can have n either icecream n or cake before the dinner. “You cannot eat ice cream or cake before lunch.”

Note

It is important to remember that, in contrast to the Russian formula, where in addition to “neither” the particle “not” is used (He does not eat either fish or meat), in the English version the negative particle is omitted: He _ eats neither fish nor meat. In such cases, you can not use not along with the established design. The English formula already suggests that the sentence is negative. This is one of the most common mistakes for beginners.

"Any" and "no"

The translation of the Russian word "any" depends on the context. This nuance is easier to understand with specific examples:

• Which book can I read? - You can take any of them. (Which book can I read? - You can take any of them.)

This example illustrates the case when there are several options (more than two). If you need to choose one of two, the answer will be as follows:

• You can read either (one / of them). “You can read any of the two.” Or neither , which means "none" (of the two).

Note: in cases where you need to use the word "both", both is used. For instance:

• I like both books. - I like both books.

Compare with the following examples:

• I like neither books. - None of the two books I like.
• I can read either book. “I can read any of the (two) books.”
• I can read any book. - I can read any book (in general).

Either, neither: use in other phrases

For almost every word, you can find a certain set of stable expressions that you need to know. This will make your speech more colorful and expressive.

Either:

• ~ way - anyway;
• from ~ direction - from either side;
• in ~ case / event - in any / in one case or another;
• on ~ hand / side - on both sides;
• give a month or so ~ way - with a possible monthly deviation in one direction or another.

Neither:

• I am ~ off nor on - I can not decide, hesitate;
• ~ fish nor flesh- neither fish nor meat;
• ~ here nor there - inappropriately, it does not play a special role, it does not matter;
• ~ more nor less than - only, only, nothing;
• ~ way - neither this way nor that nor this;
• on ~ side - from no side.

Try to enrich your active vocabulary with additional expressions, gradually learning new phrases.

Answer Exercises

To successfully master any topic, whether it is grammar rules or a set of vocabulary, you should apply new material in practice. In addition to making suggestions, it is also useful to complete assignments. If you work out enough exercises to substitute the words either / neither, the sentences will be made much easier. You can freely use them in your everyday speech with native English speakers. Any knowledge should be applied immediately, otherwise it will be forgotten.

Insert the missing words either / neither . Exercise:

1. She can't ride a horse. - I can't ride them ... (She can't ride a horse. - I can't ride them either.)
2. I've never been to China. - Me ... (I've never been to China. - Me either.)
3. I can't understand that language. - I can't understand it ... (I can't understand this language. - I also.)
4. I speak ... French nor Spanish. (I do not speak either French or Spanish.)
5. You can go ... to Japan or to Vietnam. (You can go either to Japan or to Vietnam.)
6. Ann won't go to school tomorrow. - Her brother won't go there ... (Ana does not go to school tomorrow. Her brother does not go either.)
7. Which pencil can I take? - ... of them. (Which pencil can I take? - None of them.)

Answers:

1, 3, 5, 6 - either;
2, 4, 7 - neither.

It is important to carefully consider the context, using a particular vocabulary during the translation, including either / neither . The use of certain words in English has its own peculiarities unusual for Russian.