Grammarians differ on this point, but theres a long history of both either or and neither nor being used for three or more items. When acting as the subject of the sentence, neither and either both take singular verbs. Bbc learning english quiznet both, either, neither. If both subjects are singular, the verb is singular too. See more about so, neither and either as short answers. But these two can be used in so many different contexts that their meanings can become confusing. Both, so do i, neither do i all our lessons and exercises. Either and neither can also come at the beginning of a sentence. Neither her roommates nor her brother knows where she is. If you prefer to use a negative, then you want to use either. Neither my friends nor my relatives could help me when we were in the hospital. Neither the manager nor his subordinates could give a satisfactory.
Both michael and sarah got their christmas presents. Neither indicates that the two ideas are linked together. Neithernor when two subjects are joined by neithernor or eitheror, choosing the right. Neither, neither nor and not either english grammar.
The correlative conjunction eitheror is used to join two positive options. We can either go to the movies or stay inside and watch netflix. He either keeps the keys himself or leaves them with his wife. Whether you are using either or neither, you can only frame two alternativeselements. Either or neither nor either or used when referring to a choice between two possibilities. Exercise on both, either, neither, nor and so english.
Singularplural when using neither nor constructions. The problem is that both, either and neither and in particular both have different functions. She has neither eaten anything nor slept in two days. The structure neithernor is used to join two negative ideas. Both san diego and new york are very beautiful cities. Either of the two offers was better than my current job. According to context and to the grammar book you consult, they can be considered as quantifiers, adjectives, pronouns, correlating coordinators or adverbs. Eitheror neithernor either or used when referring to a choice between two possibilities.
Neither sarah nor peter was to blame for the mistake. I was invited to two parties last week but i didnt go to. But in order to write more complex sentences they have to know how to join their ideas more effectively. A common grammatical mistake that occurs when using the correlative conjunction neitheror is subject. In spoken language, the plural form of the verb is more usual. From the american copy editors society a tricky agreement problem. Jay had seen neither the snake nor the wasps nest on the next tree, and was. You can use these words with a noun both books, neither book etc.
Complete the sentence with or, nor, eitheror, neithernor or verb agreement. It is possible to find examples in print or on the web where these words are comparing many alternatives, but this should be avoided whenever possible. My grandpa neither likes nor cares about the technology. I used to like playing bothfootball andbasketball when i was young. The verb agrees with the noun that is closer to it.
Use either when you talk about two things or people. Well then, neither peter nor john will be able to come. If you think that teaching both, neither and either is a bit boring, i have good news for you. He neither attends the class regularly nor learns his lessons.
In addition, they are also used wrongly quite often, so everything becomes even more unclear. Complete the sentences with both, neither, either of us them. Either and neither download this explanation in pdf here. Uncertain which one you can buy the shoes at either macys or penneys. So here is an online exercise where students have to link sentences and choose the correct paired conjunctions. The verb is always in the affirmative and normally agrees in number with the second subject. Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. Either, neither and both english grammar exercises and tests. Try our interactive game to practice the difference between both, either and neither. It is used in positive structure but the meaning is negative.
Neither chris nor her assistant was at the meeting. Neither either and neither represent a pair of words frequently used in the english vocabulary. He will neither come here nor send a representative. It consists of some grammar explanation and four exercises. We dont usually use this with a negative sentence, but use neither instead. But if you use neither, then make sure your sentence does not have any other negatives preceding it. Neither does mary nor does mary mary doesnt eat meat either. Using both and, either or, neither nor english study here. The presidents assistant will neither confirm nor deny the story. If you found this english grammar about both either neither interesting or useful, let others know about it. There was a lot of snow on the both sides of california last year. Either orneither nor a free english exercise to learn english.
In all examples below, a and b are the same parts of speech. Compare your responses to the feedback by clicking the check or check 110 button. For example, you are talking about going out to eat this evening. I asked two people the way to the station but could help me. Either jacy or myra will help you with your children. Its no secret on here that i love having fun in my classes but what people may not know is that although flexible when necessary, my classes are carefully planned and games are not played just to keep my students entertained. This is a free beginner english grammar quiz and esl worksheet. 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. Instead of choosing one of them, you can use the word neither to show that you do not want one or the other. Dec 12, 2016 complete the sentences with both, neither, either.
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