Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 82 · A2

both, either, neither

both, either and neither are for two things or people. both takes a plural noun; either and neither take a singular noun. Before the, my, these and so on, use both (of), either of, neither of; before them and us, always use of.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 25 minutes

In this lesson

Two things or peopleA1 screen of questions
both + plural, either/neither + singularB1 screen of questions
both of, either of, neither ofC2 screens of questions
both of them, neither of usD2 screens of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

Two things or people

both = the two.

either = one or the other, it does not matter which.

neither = not one and not the other (not + either).

  • My neighbour has two sons. Both are doctors. (both = the two sons)
  • "Apple juice or orange juice?" "Either. I don't mind."
  • "Shall we go to the beach or the park?" "Neither. I'd rather stay in."
  • "Apple juice or orange juice?" "I don't want either." (not I don't want neither)

Point A · Extra practice

Put in both, either or neither.

  1. "Tea or coffee?" ". I don't mind."

  2. My sisters are nurses. They work at the same hospital.

  3. "The red one or the blue one?" ". I don't like them."

Point B of 4

both + plural, either/neither + singular

both + plural noun: both cities, both books.

either / neither + singular noun: either way, neither book.

  • Last summer I visited Edinburgh and York. I loved both cities.
  • I've worked in a factory and a call centre. Neither job was much fun.
  • There are two roads into town. You can take either road.

Point B · Extra practice

Put in both, either or neither and the noun in brackets.

  1. I've been to Paris and Rome. I loved . (city)

  2. There are two car parks. You can use . (car park)

  3. I tried two shops, but had any bread. (shop)

Point C of 4

both of, either of, neither of

Use of before the / these / those / my / your / Sam's etc.: neither of my parents, either of these films.

With both, the of is optional: both of those photos = both those photos.

  • Neither of my grandparents was born in Britain.
  • I haven't seen either of these films.
  • I love both of those photos. (or I love both those photos.)
  • Both of Sam's brothers live abroad. (or Both Sam's brothers live abroad.)

Point C · Exercise 82.2 · part 1 of 2

Read each scene and complete the sentence. Use Both ... and Neither ... .

  1. Example

    A waiter holds two cups upside down. Nothing comes out of either.

    Both cups are empty.

    AnswerBoth cups are empty.

  2. A wall with two windows, both wide open.

    open.

  3. Two men, both bare-headed. A crossed-out hat floats above them.

    wearing a hat.

  4. Two tourists, each with a camera round his neck.

    cameras.

  5. Two buses side by side. The sign on each one says AIRPORT.

    to the airport.

Point C · Exercise 82.2 · part 2 of 2

Read each scene and complete the sentence. Use Both ... and Neither ... .

  1. A board marked ANSWER. Two answers are written on it: 7 + 8 = 13 and 7 + 8 = 16.

    right.

Point D of 4

both of them, neither of us

Before them / us / you, always use of.

  • Sam has two brothers. Both of them live abroad.
  • Lena and I skipped lunch. Neither of us was hungry.
  • Who are those two women? I don't know either of them.

Point D · Exercise 82.3 · part 1 of 2

A man and a woman answered some questions. They gave the same answers. Write sentences with Both of them ... or Neither of them ... .

  1. Example

    Are you married? (man: No, woman: No)

    Neither of them is married.

    AnswerNeither of them is married.

  2. Example

    How old are you? (man: 21, woman: 21)

    Both of them are 21.

    AnswerBoth of them are 21.

  3. Are you a student? (man: Yes, woman: Yes)

  4. Have you got a car? (man: No, woman: No)

  5. Where do you live? (man: Cardiff, woman: Cardiff)

  6. Do you like dancing? (man: Yes, woman: Yes)

Point D · Exercise 82.3 · part 2 of 2

A man and a woman answered some questions. They gave the same answers. Write sentences with Both of them ... or Neither of them ... .

  1. Can you swim? (man: No, woman: No)

  2. Do you listen to podcasts? (man: Yes, woman: Yes)

  3. Are you interested in politics? (man: No, woman: No)

Put it together · Exercise 82.1 · part 1 of 3

Put in both/either/neither. Use of where necessary.

  1. Example

    Last summer I visited Edinburgh and York. I loved both cities.

    AnswerLast summer I visited Edinburgh and York. I loved both cities.

  2. Example

    There were two lamps in the room. I didn't like either of them.

    AnswerThere were two lamps in the room. I didn't like either of them.

  3. It was an exciting game. teams played really well.

  4. It was a dull game. team played well.

  5. "Is your teacher Irish or Scottish?" ". She's from New Zealand."

  6. We had two days off last week, and it was cold and grey on days.

Put it together · Exercise 82.1 · part 2 of 3

Put in both/either/neither. Use of where necessary.

  1. A: I've got two magazines. Which one would you like? B: . I don't mind which one.

  2. I invited Kate and Leo to the barbecue, but them turned up.

  3. "Do you get to school by bus or by train?" ". I always cycle."

  4. "Which coat do you prefer, the red one or the green one?" "I don't like them."

Put it together · Exercise 82.1 · part 3 of 3

Put in both/either/neither. Use of where necessary.

  1. "Are you working, or are you at college?" ". I work part-time and go to college too."

  2. Mark and I got lost because us had a map.

  3. Sam has two brothers and a sister. brothers live abroad.

  4. Sam has two brothers and a sister. I've met his sister, but I haven't met his brothers.

Lesson 82 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: a lot, much, manyBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Two things or people–Not checkedB. both + plural, either/neither + singular–Not checkedC. both of, either of, neither of–Not checkedD. both of them, neither of us–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked