I once had a tricky moment during an English exam. There came a sentence and I had to choose between either or neither.
I froze, thinking, Which one fits here? If you are reading this, chances are you’ve faced the same confusion. Words like either or neither are simple, but using them incorrectly can change your meaning completely.
This article will guide you through the meaning, grammar, examples, and exercises for either or neither, so you’ll never hesitate again.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to use these words naturally in sentences, emails, formal writing, or everyday conversation.
Quick Answer
- Either → refers to one of two options
- Neither → refers to not one nor the other of two options
Examples:
- You can choose either tea or coffee. ✅
- Neither answer is correct. ✅
- ❌ I like neither of them (when actually choosing one). ❌
The Meaning of Either or Neither
Either is used when offering a choice between two possibilities.
Neither is used to indicate that both options are not true or chosen.
Examples:
- Either route will get you there on time.
- Neither of the movies looks interesting.
Special Notes:
- Either…or… → connects two positive alternatives.
- Neither…nor… → connects two negative alternatives.
The Origin of Either or Neither
Both words come from Old English:
- Either → ǣgþer, meaning “each of two”
- Neither → nǣgþer, meaning “not either”
Over time, they became standard in English as correlative conjunctions, pronouns, and determiners. The spelling has remained the same in British and American English.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no spelling difference for these words across regions. Only pronunciation may vary slightly.
| Word | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Either | Either | Either |
| Neither | Neither | Neither |
Which Form Should You Use?
- Use either when referring to one of two options.
- Use neither when rejecting both options.
Examples:
- You may choose either route to the station.
- Neither of the routes is open today.
Audience: Students, writers, ESL learners, professionals — anyone using English.
Common Mistakes with Either or Neither
- ❌ Using either when you mean neither
- ❌ Using neither when you mean either
- ❌ Forgetting to maintain parallel structure with “or” or “nor”
Correct examples:
- You can either call me or email me. ✅
- Neither answer satisfies the requirements. ✅
Either or Neither in Everyday Examples
Emails
- You can either submit your report today or tomorrow.
- Neither proposal meets the client’s expectations.
News & Articles
- Either candidate may win the election.
- Neither of the policies was approved.
Social Media
- You can either like or share this post.
- Neither outfit suits me for the event.
Formal Writing
- Applicants may select either option on the form.
- Neither response satisfies the evaluation criteria.
Either or Neither Exercises
Fill in the blanks:
- You can choose _______ coffee _______ tea. → either…or
- _______ of the answers is correct. → Neither
- I don’t like _______ option. → either
- _______ John _______ Mary attended the meeting. → Neither…nor
Answers:
- either…or
- Neither
- either
- Neither…nor
Either and Neither Examples with Answers
| Sentence | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| You can have tea ___ coffee. | either or |
| ___ of the options seems right. | Neither |
| I don’t want ___ of them. | either |
| ___ the manager ___ the assistant was present. | Neither…nor |
Either or Neither at the End of a Sentence
- In informal English, you can use either or neither at the end of a sentence:
Examples:
- I don’t know either.
- She can’t attend, and I can’t go either.
- He wasn’t at the party, and I wasn’t either.
- Neither of the options appeals to me, and neither did the alternative.
Comparison Table: Either vs Neither
| Feature | Either | Neither |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | One of two options | Not one nor the other |
| Part of Speech | Pronoun / Determiner / Conjunction | Pronoun / Determiner / Conjunction |
| Correlative Form | Either…or… | Neither…nor… |
| Example | You can choose either tea or coffee | Neither answer is correct |
| Common Mistake | Using when rejecting both | Using when allowing choice |
FAQs
- What is the difference between either and neither?
- Either shows choice; Neither shows rejection.
- Can either be used in negative sentences?
- Usually, neither is used for negatives.
- Can neither be used alone?
- Yes, as in: Neither of them is ready.
- Is there a British vs American difference?
- No, spelling is the same; pronunciation may vary.
- Examples of either…or…
- You can either attend the class or submit your homework online.
- Examples of neither…nor…
- Neither the manager nor the assistant was available.
- Tips for ESL learners?
- Remember: either = one, neither = none. Always check sentence context.
Conclusion
Either and neither are simple words but can confuse even advanced English users. Either is used to indicate a choice between two options, while neither is used to indicate that both options are not applicable.
Using them correctly improves clarity in emails, articles, social media, exams, and formal writing.
Remember phrases like either…or…, neither…nor…, or using them at the end of a sentence like I don’t know either — these are common and natural in English.
With the rules, examples, and exercises above, you can confidently use either or neither every time.
Final verdict: Always use either for choices and neither for rejection. Master these words, and your sentences will be perfectly clear.
Mark Nichol is a professional writer and grammar-focused content creator at Grammiffy, where he explains English usage, punctuation, and common writing mistakes in a clear and practical way.
With a reader-friendly approach, Mark helps digital learners improve sentence structure and everyday writing skills with confidence.
