Whether or not you’re a phrase nerd, a curious new learner, or somebody merely desirous to up their grammar sport, the English language can current its share of challenges. One instance of that is the phrases both and neither, that are spelled equally and likewise sound alike.
Both means “one in all two choices.” It’s used to point a alternative between one or one other merchandise or along with one thing else. For instance, the sentence “You possibly can both go to the film or keep at dwelling” presents two clear choices to select from.
Neither means “not both” and can also be generally outlined as “none of.” It’s used to point that not one of the out there choices offered are true, relevant, or acceptable. Neither may also be used to negate choices, as within the sentence, “I like neither espresso nor tea within the morning.”
Let’s break down these two phrases in additional element so you may simply perceive when to go for both versus neither.
Definitions of both and neither
Both and neither are used to refer to 2 various things or selections. Both is used earlier than the primary of two or extra choices or to point a hyperlink with one other assertion. Both can even point out one or the opposite of two individuals or issues.
Neither is used earlier than the primary of two choices to sign that they’re unfaithful or gained’t happen. It may also be used to emphasise a adverse assertion. Moreover, neither means “not one or the opposite of two individuals or issues.”
Both and neither pronunciation
There are other ways to pronounce these phrases. In American English, both is pronounced with an extended e sound, as in ee-ther. In British English, both is pronounced with an extended i sound as an alternative, as in i-ther. The identical variations apply whenever you’re announcing neither stateside versus throughout the pond.
When to make use of both vs. neither
Figuring out how to decide on between these phrases might be complicated, particularly as a result of each can be utilized as an adverb, a conjunction, a determiner, or a pronoun.
As an adverb:
Both as an adverb is used to point out a similarity or hyperlink.
I don’t like chocolate ice cream both.
Neither as an adverb is used earlier than the primary of two selections to point that they’re unfaithful or didn’t occur.
We will neither affirm nor deny the allegations.
As a conjunction:
When used as a conjunction, both is used with or to point selections or potentialities. It may also be used to counsel that there’s multiple chance or comparability.
I might like to go to both the live performance or the occasion tomorrow evening.
Neither as a conjunction is used with nor to imply that one thing just isn’t true about two or extra issues, actions, or individuals. One other manner of claiming that is that it’s used conjunctionally to negate one other assertion.
Neither the live performance nor the occasion pursuits me.
As a determiner:
Both is used as a determiner to imply “one or the opposite of two individuals or issues”; it can also imply “every of two.”
The fireflies didn’t come out on both evening.
There have been sequins on both finish of the mural.
Neither is used as a determiner to imply “not one or the opposite.”
Neither argument is convincing.
As a pronoun:
Both as a pronoun means “one or the opposite.” It is not uncommon for the pronoun both for use when referring to one in all two choices or when speaking a few constructive final result or alternative.
You possibly can take both path to get to the park.
When used as a pronoun, neither means “not one or the opposite” or “not both.”
He couldn’t select between the routes, so he took neither.
Tip for remembering when to make use of both vs. neither
When you’re nonetheless struggling to decide on between both versus neither, there’s one easy tip that can resolve any confusion.
N = adverse
Neither at all times denotes an solely adverse utilization or tone—which is simple to recollect because it begins with the letter n, similar to the phrase adverse.
Examples of both
Conjunction: The tiles are available in both inexperienced or blue.
Adverb: I can’t go. I’m grounded, and I don’t like dances both.
Pronoun: We have now to get the cotton sweet if both of us goes to the honest.
Determiner: There are wildflowers on both aspect of the stream.
Examples of neither
Conjunction: Neither the cat nor the canine observed the mouse.
Adverb: I’ll eat neither inexperienced eggs nor ham.
Determiner: Neither group gained; it was a tie.
Pronoun: Zeke picked two bunches of flowers, neither of which lived previous Sunday.
