When do you use 'either' and when do you use 'neither'?

Question

I'm so baffled by it!!!

Answer 1

Dear HA,

Neither usually has a negative connotation to it.

So for example do you want your eggs: scrambled or sunny side up. You would say neither - you don't want them one way or the other.

Either suggests that you want one or the other. If you do attach a negative word to either though it makes it basically synonymous with neither.

Ie: I would like either scrambled or sunny side.

or I would not like either scrambled or sunny side.

Hope that helps. You may want to invest in a style book-- (many journalists use it) and it may suggest to you when it is appropriate to use one over the other.

Hope that helps... kindly,

Nickster

Answer 2

Either indicates a positive choice, neither a negative choice. Neither = not either.

Suppose you are discussing what someone who is a vegetarian does and doesn't eat:

Q: "Do you prefer fish or meat?"

A: "Neither, I'm a vegetarian."

Q: "What about dessert - I've got fruit salad or rice pudding?"

A: "Either of those is fine by me"

Or discussing the weather

"It's horrible weather, neither dry nor warm, so you'll want either a hat or an umbrella."

or discussing TV

"Are you watching Neighbours or Home & Away?"

"Neither, I prefer crime drama so it's either CSI or Law & Order for me."

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

Either should only be used when it is a choice of 1 of 2. It shouldn't be used, for example when the choice is 3 or more.The same applies to neither, where none of 2 will do, if you see what I mean!

Answer 4

When you want to include both options [inclusive]; it's "either", like in "It's either her or me!" You have the choice.

When it's excluding the options [exclusive]; then it's "neither" , like in "Neither John nor James are right." Both are wrong.

You can use them as singular words in the part of a reply, too. Such as "Either coffee or tea will do." "Neither. I don't drink either one. Milk for me, please."

I hope this clarified the usage.

Cheers

Answer 5

They are the opposite of each other.

Either is when there is a choice between two things, and one or the other will do.

Neither is when there is a choice between two things, and both are not what you want.

So.. given the choice between two fivers or a tenner, either will do; but given the choice between a poke in the eye or a thick ear, neither will do.

Answer 6

Either is when your comparing in a positive way like "It was either Kt or someone else who answered the question", you use either because its something they did.

Neither is the negative of either, you use it to compare negatively like this "Neither Kt or Ed are losers", they aren't something and so you use neither.

Hope you get it now!

Answer 7

you could be asked "which one of those would u like" if you said neither you mean none of them and could answer "neither they are both horrible OR

I will have either of them they are both cute so I don't mind which!

what to you want fish and chips or bangers and mash ! you can answer either (dont mind) or neither( none of those)

SIMPLIFIED A BIT BUT DID U GET THERE IN THE END.

Answer 8

Either = one or the other
Neither = Not one or the other

Probably baffled my answer but hope it helps:)

Answer 9

Either is when there is more than one option to choose from, and you dont mind "either!"

Neither is when there is more than one option to choose from, but you dont want any - neither!

hope that helps

Answer 10

Either is inclusive - Neither is exclusive
i.e. Either you or I could do the job (includes both of us)
-or-
Neither you nor I could do the job (excludes both of us)