She Improved Significantly in Both Math and Reading

Both - Either - Neither

English Grammer

We use both, either and neither to refer to two people or things.

BOTH

Both = the two; that one AND the other i; this ane AND that one

Both can exist used every bit a pronoun to refer to ii things that nosotros take already mentioned.

A: Practise yous want the blueish shirt or the red one?
B: I'll buy both (= the blue shirt AND the red shirt = both shirts)

Both X and Y

= not only X but also Y

Both + Describing word + and + Adjective

He'due south both alpine and handsome.
I'm both happy and confused at the same time!
I have had a long, difficult day and I'thou both tired and hungry.

Both + Noun + and + Noun

Both can exist used with a singular noun + and + singular substantive

She speaks both English and Standard arabic.
They accept both a true cat and a dog.
He is both an thespian and a director.

We tin can also use Both + plural substantive (come across more below)

She speaks both languages.

Both or Both of?

Both or Both of can exist used without a difference in pregnant though Both of is more than mutual in the United states.

Both (of) + determiner + plural noun

You can utilize Both or Both of earlier a determiner (my, his, these, the etc.) and a plural substantive.

Both (of) my friends arrived belatedly to grade.
Both of the wheels wobble likewise much.
A prize was given to both of the players.

When nosotros use Both (without of ), we drop the article the .

Both of the parents were nervous.
Both parents were nervous.

Both of + Object Pronoun

When using Both with a plural object pronoun (the states, them), nosotros need the preposition OF before that pronoun.

He has invited both us. (incorrect)
He has invited both of u.s.a.. (right)
I'll have both of them. (right)
I need to speak to both of you. (correct)

Verb + Object pronoun + both

We tin can employ both after a plural object pronoun.

I promise they invite the states both (= I hope they invite both of us)
Practise yous need them both? (= Do you need both of them)
The teacher sent them both to the principal's office.

To exist + both

Both comes after To Be (or an auxiliary such as have or modal verbs).

He is both intelligent and agile.
My sister and I are both ready for the trip.
Nosotros were both happy with our exam results.

Modal verb + both + verb

My parents tin both speak French.
They should both endeavor harder.
My brothers would both be shocked if they knew the truth.

Both + other verbs

Both goes before the other verbs. If there is an accompanying auxiliary verb, then it goes in the middle of the two verbs (i.e. auxiliary + both + verb)

We both wanted to stay in bed and not go to work.
They both liked the surprise.
My parents both piece of work in the same edifice.
They take both studied a lot.

Both - Negative

We don't use both in negative structures. Instead, we normally use Neither .

Nosotros don't say: Both of them are not set (wrong)
Nosotros say: Neither of them are set up (correct)

Run into more well-nigh Neither below:

NEITHER

Neither = non i and not the other
Neither is a negative word and is accompanied by an affirmative singular verb.

Neither X nor Y

Neither … nor … is used equally a conjunction. It is the opposite of "Both … and …" If a verb comes afterward this phrase, that verb is in the singular form (Sometimes yous will hear information technology used in the plural form though it is not grammatically correct)

Neither John nor Fred likes doing the dishes. (= "Both John and Fred don't similar doing the dishes")
I desire neither the ruby-red shirt nor the blue shirt.
I neither smoke nor drinkable.

Neither + atypical noun

Neither is used equally a determiner earlier a single noun.

Neither team wanted to lose.
That tennis game was very close. Neither player had a clear advantage.
Neither parent knew nigh the accident.

Neither of + determiner + plural substantive

You tin utilize Neither of earlier a determiner (my, his, these, the etc.) and a plural noun.

Neither of my friends came to class today.
Neither of the parents understood what the baby was trying to say.
Neither of our cars has enough petrol so we have to take the bus.

Neither of + Pronoun

When using Neither + of + pronoun (y'all, u.s., them), nosotros need the preposition OF before that pronoun. (If a verb comes after this phrase then it is in atypical form)

The present is for neither of us.
Neither of them is married.
Neither of usa expected to be fired.

Neither in short responses

Neither is frequently used as part of a brusque response when someone says something negative and you agree with them.

A: I have never been to Switzerland
B: Neither have I.
A: I don't want to get.
B: Neither exercise I.

Come across more about And then, Neither and Either as short answers

Neither can also be used alone.

A: Would y'all like a blue tie or a dark-green necktie?
B: Neither. (= Neither tie)

Neither vs. Either

You lot tin use Either with a negative verb to supplant Neither with a positive verb

I accept neither fourth dimension nor money
I don't have either time or money.

See more about Either below.

EITHER

Either = whatsoever one of the two = this one or the other one
Either is accompanied by an affirmative singular verb and is mostly used in questions or negative sentences

Either Ten or Y

Either … or … is used as a conjunction. Information technology is used to express alternatives and or a pick between two (and sometimes more) things. It is used a verb in singular form (Sometimes you lot will hear it used in the plural course though it is not grammatically correct).

Either you or John has to finish the report earlier 5pm.
Y'all can take either the red shirt or the blue shirt. (= but not both)
Either y'all get out the edifice now or I call the security guards.

Either + singular noun

Either is used every bit a determiner earlier a single noun.

There are merely two options and I'm non interested in either picture.
A: Practise you desire it set up for Thursday or Friday? B: Either day is fine for me.

Either of + determiner + plural noun

You tin use Either of earlier a determiner (my, his, these, the etc.) and a plural noun.

We've been dating for half dozen months and I haven't met either of her parents.
I haven't read either of these books.
I don't want either of those apples. Do you have one that is non rotten?

Either + of + Pronoun

When using Either + of + object pronoun (you, us, them), nosotros need the preposition OF before that pronoun.

I don't think he is going to invite either of us.
A: Which photo do y'all prefer? B: I don't like either of them
I think I left my keys and wallet at the office. I don't want to lose either of them.

Either can too exist used alone. It ways information technology doesn't affair which alternative. Sometimes information technology is accompanied past the pronoun "one".

A: Would y'all like a coffee or a tea?
B: Either (one). (= I don't mind if information technology's coffee or tea, both alternatives are fine)

Either in short responses

Either can be used at the cease of a negative judgement when you agree with something negative someone else has said. It is similar to meaning Likewise and ALSO (which are used in affirmative sentences).

A: I wasn't thirsty. B: I wasn't either. (You lot cannot say "I wasn't too")
A: I've never been to Portugal. B: I haven't either.
A: I didn't go to course yesterday. B: I didn't either

See more almost Then, Neither and Either as brusk answers

Pronunciation of Either and Neither

You lot will hear the word Either pronounced 2 different ways:

/ˈaɪðər/ (middle-ther – with a long I audio at the beginning) – British English
/ˈiːðər/ (ee- ther – with a long E sound at the beginning) – American English

Both forms of pronunciation are correct and supposedly one is British English and the other American English. However within each country yous may hear both forms used.

The same happens with the pronunciation of the word Neither :

/ˈnaɪðər/ – British English
/ˈniːðər/ – American English

Both, Either, Neither Summary Nautical chart

The difference between Both, Either and Neither - English Grammar

Side by side activity

Try our interactive game to practice the divergence between Both, Either and Neither.

See more than about And so, Neither and Either as short answers

If you lot plant this English Grammar most Both - Either - Neither interesting or useful, allow others know about it:

gardnerquer1990.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.grammar.cl/english/both-either-neither.htm