13.3. |
both, neither and either |
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PRESENTATION
both and neither
Use both and neither to say that two things or people are the same. Both is positive. Neither is negative.
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| Both of them are happy. | Neither of them is happy. | ||
| Both students are happy. | Neither student is happy. |
either
Use either to say that the choice between two people or things is not important:
Either of them is fine. (= I like both of them. I don’t mind which one I have.)
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not + either = neither: I don’t want either of them. = I want neither of them. |
Both is plural: Both of them are students. Both teenagers are students.
Either is singular: Either of them is fine.
Neither is singular: Neither of them is British. Neither student is British.
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You can use these words with a noun: both students, neither country, either drink. |
