Uses of Either and Neither as various parts of speech

In this article, we will see:

• the various ways ‘either and neither’ can function in a sentence.
• the various sentence structures/patterns involving ‘either and neither’
• various use cases of ‘either and neither’, including some dos and don’ts.

Either and neither should be used only in speaking of two persons or things.

Either and Neither as various parts of speech

They may function as:

• (Distributive) Pronoun
• (Distributive) Adjective
• Adverb
• Conjunction

When working as a pronoun, adjective or conjunction, ‘Either’ means the one or the other of two (i.e. when there is a choice between two).
When working as an adverb, ‘Either’ means ‘likewise’.

When working as a pronoun, adjective or conjunction, ‘Neither’ means none of the two. It is the negative of either.
When working as an adverb, ‘Neither’ means ‘also not, similarly not’.

Either and Neither as Distributive Pronouns

Pattern 1

Either/Neither are followed by singular verb.

Either/Neither + Singular Verb

Which of these two bikes is fast enough for our race? I think either is fast enough.

She has two pens but neither writes well.

Pattern 2

However, we use Plural Noun/Pronoun after ‘Either/Neither + of’.

Either/Neither + of + Plural Noun/Pronoun + Singular Verb

Neither of them wants to be dropped off the team. (them – plural pronoun; wants – singular verb)

Either and Neither as Distributive Adjectives

Either/neither is a singular word. So, they are followed by a singular noun and singular verb.

Pattern: Either/Neither + Singular Noun + Singular Verb

Either road leads to the bus stand.

Neither candidate has been selected.

Either and Neither as Adverbs

Either and neither can function as adverbs too.

It was a really nice coat, and it wasn’t very costly either. (either – adverb; We use ‘either’ as an adverb after a negative verb)

If you don’t want to go to the school, neither do I. (neither - adverb)

Either and Neither as Conjunctions

Either…or and neither…nor can function as conjunctions too, to connect two clauses.

Either we can travel by train or we can rent a car.

After the divorce, he neither called nor wrote.

Either/Neither Vs. Any, One, No one, None

When more than two are spoken of, any, one, no one, none should be used.

Either of these three boys is definitely guilty. (incorrect)
One of these three boys is definitely guilty. (correct)

Neither of his four sons looked after him. (incorrect)
None of his four sons looked after him. (correct)

Either/Neither Vs. All, Both

Difference 1

To talk about two people/things, we can use the quantifiers both, either and neither.

Both the shops are open.
I don’t think either of the shops is open.
Neither of the shops is open.

With ‘both’ we use plural verb, but with ‘either/neither’ we use singular verb.

Difference 2

‘Both’ is not used in negative sense.

Both of them are not going. (incorrect; it is an ambiguous sentence – is one of them not going or neither of them is going)
Neither of them is going. (correct)