Either vs Neither: Complete British English Grammar Guide for Adult Learners
Updated: 2 days ago
Either and neither are small words, but they cause big mistakes. The key is this: either usually means one of two, and neither means not one and not the other. This guide explains either vs neither with clear British English grammar rules and practical examples.
Download this PDF for a quick guide, or continue reading for a more detailed explanation.
1. The basic meanings of Either and Neither
Word | Meaning | Example |
`either` | one or the other | You can have either tea or coffee. |
`neither` | not one and not the other | Neither tea nor coffee is available. |
Think of two choices:
Either means choice A or choice B.
Neither means not A and not B.
2. Either…or
Use either…or when there are two possible choices.
✓ You can either call me or send a message.
✓ We’ll meet either on Monday or on Tuesday.
A: Would you like soup or salad? B: Either is fine. I’m not very hungry.
3. Neither…nor
Use neither…nor when both choices are negative.
✓ I drink neither coffee nor alcohol.
✓ Neither Anna nor James was at the meeting.
✓ The room was neither clean nor comfortable.
I drink neither coffee nor alcohol. = I don’t drink coffee, and I don’t drink alcohol.
4. Double negatives
Don’t use neither with another negative word like `not`, `don’t`, or `didn’t`.
Incorrect | Correct |
✗ I don’t like neither option. | ✓ I don’t like either option. |
✗ She didn’t call neither of us. | ✓ She didn’t call either of us. |
✗ We haven’t got neither ticket. | ✓ We haven’t got either ticket. |
Useful tip: after a negative verb, use either, not neither.
5. Either is fine
Use Either is fine when both choices are acceptable.
✓ A: Do you want the blue pen or the black pen?
✓ B: Either is fine.
Other natural answers:
Either one is fine.
Either works for me.
I don’t mind either.
In British English, I don’t mind is a very common answer when both choices are OK.
6. Neither
Use neither alone when both choices are not true, not wanted, or not possible.
✓ A: Do you want tea or coffee?
✓ B: Neither, thanks. I’ll have water.
✓ A: Is the answer A or B?
✓ B: Neither. It’s C.
7. Either after negative sentences
After negative sentences, either often means “also not”.
✓ I don’t like mushrooms. I don’t like olives either.
✓ She can’t come today, and Mark can’t come either.
✓ We didn’t enjoy the film either.
This pattern is very common in daily speech.
8. Me neither
Use Me neither to agree with a negative statement in informal speech.
✓ A: I don’t like horror films.
✓ B: Me neither.
✓ A: I can’t swim very well.
✓ B: Me neither.
Avoid this mistake:
✗ A: I like pizza.
✗ B: Me neither.
For a positive statement, say Me too.
✓ A: I like pizza.
✓ B: Me too.
9. Neither do I
Use Neither do I to agree with a negative statement in a more complete way.
First sentence | Natural reply |
I don’t eat meat. | Neither do I. |
I can’t drive. | Neither can I. |
I haven’t seen it. | Neither have I. |
I wasn’t ready. | Neither was I. |
The helping verb changes:
✓ I don’t smoke. Neither do I.
✓ I can’t sing. Neither can I.
✓ I haven’t finished. Neither have I.
10. Either of and neither of
Use either of and neither of before words like `us`, `them`, `these`, `those`, or `the`.
✓ Either of these buses goes to the station.
✓ Neither of my brothers lives in London.
✓ I haven’t read either of those books.
✓ Neither of us knew the answer.
In careful British English, use neither of + plural noun/pronoun + singular verb.
✓ Neither of them is ready.
Also common in speech: Neither of them are ready.
The singular form is safer in writing.
13. Verb agreement
When either or neither is the subject, use a singular verb.
✓ Either is possible.
✓ Neither is correct.
✓ Either answer works.
✓ Neither option looks good.
Common mistakes:
✗ Either are fine.
✓ Either is fine.
✗ Neither were ready.
✓ Neither was ready.
14. Agreement with different subjects
With either…or and neither…nor, the verb often agrees with the subject closest to it.
✓ Either my parents or my sister is coming.
✓ Either my sister or my parents are coming.
✓ Neither the students nor the teacher was late.
✓ Neither the teacher nor the students were late.
Tip: if the sentence sounds awkward, rewrite it.
Better:
✓ My sister is coming, or my parents are.
✓ The teacher wasn’t late, and the students weren’t late either.
Cheat sheet
Meaning | Use |
one of two | either |
not one and not the other | neither |
two positive choices | either…or |
two negative choices | neither…nor |
after a negative verb | either |
informal negative agreement | me neither |
complete negative agreement | neither do I |
Quick rules:
Say Either is fine when both choices are OK.
Say Neither when both choices are not OK.
Don’t say don’t + neither.
Use either of and neither of before `us`, `them`, `these`, `those`, and `the`.
In writing, treat either and neither as singular.
Five key sentences to memorise
"Either is fine."
"Neither option works for me."
"I don’t like either of them."
"I don’t drink coffee, and I don’t drink tea either."
"I haven’t seen it. Neither have I."
Master these five sentences first. They cover the most common uses of `either` and `neither` in everyday British English.
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