1. Used as a Pronoun

Either and Neither as Pronouns

  • As a pronoun , either  is used to mean a choice of one or the other of two people or things .
  • As a pronoun , neither  is used to mean not one and not the other .
  • Either  and neither  are used before of  followed by a plural noun.

Examples:

  • I am going to have a tattoo on either of  my arms.
  • You can have either of  these buns; one is for your brother.
  • Neither of  her parents approves of her staying out late night after night.
  • Those are twin sisters. Neither of  them wants to be away from the other.

Either  and neither  must not be used in front of a plural noun or pronoun without of .

Examples:

  • She's angry with both of us or either of  us.
    Not : She's angry with both of us or either us .
  • The scream came from neither of  the houses across the road. (Two houses)
    Not : The scream came from neither houses  across the road.

Either and Either of have same meaning

There is no difference in meaning between  either  preceding a noun (determiner) and  either of  (pronoun) preceding a plural noun.

I’m giving away  either  kitten. = I’m giving away  either of  the kittens.

Either and Neither are singular Either  and neither  are singular subjects, so the verb that follows them has to be singular.

Examples:

  • Police are questioning the two suspects as either  of them  is  the real killer.
  • Either  of the twin brothers has  a big mole on the chest.
  • Neither  of the two small donkeys is  ready to carry heavy loads.
  • Neither  of the buses plying this route carries many passengers at this time of night. (Two buses)

Either and Neither on their own

Because either  and neither  are used as pronouns, each of them can be on its own.

Examples:

  • These two? I don't want either .
  • Do you want to ride this camel or that one? Either , any one will do.
  • Which of your shoes is missing? Neither , I have found the missing one.
  • "Do you want a coffee or a tea?" " Neither . Thanks."

Either and Neither in  negative statements

Either of  can be used in negative statements to emphasize both of two people or things. When using neither  in a negative sentence, a negative verb must not be used, as both negatives together will give a positive idea. In place of it, we use either.

Examples:

  • She doesn't like either of  them. = She doesn't like them.
  • No : He doesn't  want to take neither  of these pills.
  • Yes : He doesn't  want to take either  of these pills.

Neither and ‘both … not …’

We need not use “both … not … “ all the time. We can use neither instead.

Examples:

  • Both  of them said they do not  know how a ghost looks.
  • Neither  of them knows how a ghost looks like.