Both, either, neither: Quantifiers — Explanation

Practice both, either, and neither exercises. Improve quantifiers grammar with clear explanations and interactive English test questions.

Both, Either, Neither: Quantifiers Exercises

In English, words like both, either, and neither are very common. We use them to talk about two people, things, or choices. These words help us say if we mean both things, one of them, or neither of them.

This guide has clear examples that are good for B1 learners that show how to use both, either, and neither correctly.

Using “Both”

We use both to talk about two people or things at the same time. It means that both items are included.

Structure:

• both + plural noun
• both of + determiner (the, my, these, etc.) + plural noun
• both of + object pronoun (us, them, you)

Examples:

• Both students passed the exam.
• Both of the restaurants are very good.
• Both of them live in London.
• I like both options.

Important things to remember:

• The noun that comes after both is always plural.
• The verb is also more than one.

Correct: Both cars are expensive.
Incorrect: Both car is expensive.

Using “Either”

We use either to talk about two choices. It means one or the other, but not both.

Structure:

• either + singular noun
• either of + determiner + plural noun
• either of + object pronoun

Examples:

• You can take either bus.
• Either answer is correct.
• Either of the hotels is fine.
• I don’t like either option.

Important things to remember:

• The noun that comes after either is usually one.
• Most of the time, the verb is singular.

Correct: Either student is ready.
Incorrect: Either students are ready.

Using “Neither”

We use neither to mean not one and not the other. It means none of the two choices.

Structure:

• neither + singular noun
• neither of + determiner + plural noun
• neither of + object pronoun

Examples:

• Neither answer is correct.
• Neither student passed the exam.
• Neither of the shops is open.
• Neither of them can help us.

Important things to remember:

• The verb that comes after neither is usually in the singular form.
• We don't use another negative because neither already has a bad meaning.

Correct: Neither option is good.
Incorrect: Neither option is not good.

Both vs Either vs Neither: Meaning Comparison

Word	Meaning	Example
Both	The two items together	Both phones are expensive.
Either	One of the two	You can choose either phone.
Neither	Not one and not the other	Neither phone is cheap.

Using "Both of," "Either of," and "Neither of"

We use of when there is an object pronoun (them, us, you) or a determiner (the, my, these, etc.).

Examples:

• Both of the students passed.
• Either of the answers is correct.
• Neither of the options is good.
• Both of them are happy.
• Neither of us understood the question.

Using Both, Either, Neither with “and” and “or”

Both … and

We use this structure to link two things.

Example:

• Both Anna and Mark are coming.

Either … or

We use this structure to show that there are two choices.

Example:

• You can either stay here or come with us.

Neither … nor

We use this structure to show two bad choices.

Example:

• Neither Anna nor Mark is at home.