both - either - neither

We use both/either/neither to talk about two things or people:

- Rebecca has two children. Both are married. (both = the two children).

- Would you like tea or coffee? You can have either. (either = tea or coffee).

- A: Do you want  to go to the cinema or theater?

  B: Neither. I want to stay at home. neither = not the cinema or the theater. 

 

Compare either and neither:

 - Would you like tea or coffee?

    Either. I don't mind. (= tea or coffee)

    I don't want either. (not I don't want either).

    Neither. (= not tea or coffee).

 - Last your I went to Paris and Rome. I liked both cities very much.

- First I worked in an office and later in a shop. Neither job was very interesting.

- There are two ways from here to the station. You can go either way.

 

     - Neither of my parents is British.

     - I haven't read either of these books.

You can say both of the/those/my... or both the/those/my.. (with or without of):

 - I like both of those pictures or I like both those pictures.

 - Both of Paul's sisters are married or Both or Paul's sister married.

but   - Neither of Paul's sisters is married. (not Neither Paul's sister).

 

Both of them / neither of us:

  both - either - neither Of them - us - you .

- Paul has two sisters. Both of them are married.

- Sue and I  didn't eat anything, Neither of us was hungry.

- Who are those two people? I don't know either of them.

Make sentences use both/either/neither. Use of where necessary:

1. Last year I went to Paris and Rome. I liked both cities very much.

2. There were two pictures on the wall. I didn't like either of them.

3. It was a good football match. Both teams played well.

4. It wasn't a good football match. Neither team played well.

5. Is your friend English or American? Neither She's Australian.

6. We went away for two days, but the weather wasn't good. It rained both days.

7. A: I bought two newspapers. Which one do you want?
    B: Either. It doesn't matter which one.

8. invited Sam and Chris to the party, but neither of them came.

9. Do you go to work by car or by bus? Neither.I always walk.

10. Which jacket do you prefer, this one or that one? I don't like either of them.

11. Do you work or are you a student? Both. I work and I'm a student too.

12. My friend and I went to the cinema, but neither of us liked the film. It was really bad.

13. Helen has two sisters and a brother. Both sisters are married.

14. Helen has two sisters and a brother. I've met her brother, but I haven't met either of her sisters.

Make the sentences. Use Both ... and Neither ....

1. Both cups are empty.

2. Both windows are open.

3. Neither man is wearing a hat. or Neither of them is wearing ...

4. Both men have (got) beards. or Both of them have ...

5. Both buses go to the airport. or ... are going to the airport.

6. Neither answer is correct.

A man and a woman answered some questions. Their answers were the same. Make sentences with Both/Neither of them....

1. Are you married? No No -----------------> 1 Neither of them is married.

2. How old are you? 21 21 -------------------> 2 Both of them are 21.

3. Are you a student? Yes Yes ---------------> 3 Both of them are students.

4. Do you have a car? No No ----------------> 4 Neither of them has a car/has got a car.

5. Where do you live? London --------------> 5 Both of them live in London.

6. Do you like cooking? Yes Yes -------------> 6 Both of them like cooking.

7. Can you play the piano? No No ----------> 7 Neither of them can play the piano.

8. Do you eat seafood? Yes Yes  --------------> 8 Both of them eat seafood.

9. Are you interested in sport? No No -----> 9 Neither of them is interested in sport.