There is a lot of confusion over the words “either” and “neither.” Both words are used to indicate one choice out of two, but they have different implications. “Either” suggests that both options are equally desirable, while “neither” suggests that both options are undesirable. Let’s take a closer look at each word and see how they should be used.
What is Either?
Either is a determiner that can be used before a noun phrase to indicate that one or the other of two possibilities is intended. For example, you might say either of these books is suitable for the job. When used in this way, either must be followed by of and a pronoun or noun phrase, as in the example just given. Alternatively, either can be used before an adjective, adverb, or prepositional phrase to mean ‘one or the other (of two)’. For instance, you could say either side of the road is fine for parking. In this case, either is usually followed by a demonstrative pronoun such as this or that. It’s also possible to use either without a following noun phrase, adjective, adverb, or prepositional phrase. In such cases, it functions as a pronoun meaning ‘one or the other (of two)’. For example, you might say I can’t decide which dress to wear – they’re both nice. Here, both refer back to the dresses mentioned earlier in the sentence, and either function as a pronoun referring to one of those dresses.
What is Neither?
The term “neither” is used to refer to two things that are not connected or considered together. For example, you might say “I have neither the time nor the inclination to do that.” In this sentence, “neither” is being used to connect the two phrases “the time” and “the inclination.” Another way to use “neither” is to say that something is not true of two things. For example, you might say “Neither John nor Mary is going to the party.” This means that John is not going to the party and Mary is not going to the party. Neither can also be used as a pronoun meaning “not one or the other of two people or things.” For example, you might say “Neither of them wants to go.” In this sentence, “neither” is being used to refer to two people who are not going to do something together.
Difference between Either and Neither
Most people understand the basic difference between “either” and “neither.” “Either” is used when there are two choices, and “neither” is used when there are no choices. However, there are some subtleties that can trip up even native speakers. For instance, “either” can be used as a pronoun, as in “Either of you could have done it.” In this case, it functions similarly to “each.” In contrast, “neither” can only be used as an adjective or adverb. It cannot be used as a pronoun. Another common mistake is to use “either” when referring to more than two things. In such cases, it is more grammatically correct to use “none,” as in “None of those books look interesting.” By understanding the small but important differences between “either” and “neither,” you can ensure that you are using these words correctly in your own writing.
Conclusion
Either and neither are both used to indicate one of two options, but they have different implications. Neither is exclusive – it means there is no option at all. Either, on the other hand, indicates that one of the two given options is chosen. Which use would be more appropriate in a given situation depends on what you want to communicate to your reader. If you want to emphasize that there are only two possible outcomes and one must be chosen, then either is the better word. However, if you want to leave open the possibility that neither of the two outcomes may happen, then neither is preferable. In short: use either when you want to choose between two things; use neither when there are no good choices left.
