Grammar Mishaps: Neither-Nor vs. Either-Or
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What is the difference between "neither-nor" and "either-or"?
"Either" and "Or"
"Either" is also a singular adjective. It means one or the other, but not both. "Either" expresses one noun/pronoun doing one thing and the other noun/pronoun doing another; in this way it is a "positive" word because what is occurring is true. "Either" can be paired with "or", but not "nor".
- She wanted to paint either a landscape or a self-portrait. (She wanted to paint one or the other, but not both.)
- I can't remember if either Georgia or Julia wanted a doll for Christmas. (One of the girls wanted a doll, but not both.)
"Neither" and "Nor"
"Neither" is a singular adjective and can be paired with "nor" in a sentence. "Neither" is never paired with "or". When using "neither" in a sentence, you are saying not the first object and not the second object are behaving in a certain way. The nouns/pronouns are in agreement with one another. "Nor" can also be used independently when negating the second part of two negative clauses.
- Neither Corie nor Bob went to the play. (Corie isn't going to the play. Bob isn't going to the play.)
- She said, "I don't like broccoli." I said, "Neither do I." [Neither is used here because she doesn't like broccoli, and I don't like broccoli. (You may hear people say,"Me neither," this is colloquial and not grammatically correct. You wouldn't say, "Me don't like broccoli.")]
- She didn't want to sing, nor did she want to dance.
The Singular and Plural of It...
Remember: If your element (the words that follow neither or either) is singular, then your verb needs to be singular; if one or both of your elements is plural, then your verb need to be plural.
- Neither Jaymee nor Dave is having a party. (Jaymee and Dave are singular, so you use the singular "is", not "were".
- Either the dancer or the acrobats are doing the tricks. (One of the subjects is plural, so "are" instead of "is" is used.
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The question remains....
What is the answer to the above question: “Peter has not gone to school today, _______ has he done his homework”?
First, we know that it is not "either" or "or" because Peter is not doing both actions. Another way to look at this sentence is to think of it worded like this: Peter has neither gone to school today, nor has he done his homework. So, the correct answer would be "nor". We also know that "nor" can be used independently when negating the second part of two independent clauses.
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Thoughts, Comments or Questions?
Hi Robin,
Thanks so much.. Things are pretty clear to me now
Hi Robin,
Thanks for tackling "neither -- nor" I do like that construction as it is so clear. The reader knows that if there is a neither, then a nor is following -- and, as you wrote, not the first object and not the second object.
I would like to rewrite your qestion sentence as you did: Peter has neither gone to school today, nor has he done his homework. What I now realize is so interesting is that the subject/verb order is reversed after the "neither." I wonder why. I don't think it has to do with tense.
By the way, one of your examples is a run-on sentence: I can't remember, either Georgia or Julia wanted a doll for Christmas. What do you think of this construction? I can't remember if either Georgia or Julia wanted a doll for Christmas. Or, just omit the "I can't remember," as it is implied by what follows. Or Either Georgia or Julia wanted a doll for Christmas; I don't remember. I have forgotten if either Georgia or Julia wants a doll for Christmas.
Thanks for the comment, George. I actually changed that sentence and it didn't update when I clicked save. This happens to me all of the time. I don't know if it's a Mac thing, or if I'm losing connectivity. It's a bit frustrating when I think I fixed something, and it doesn't appear fixed on my hub; especially when I don't notice the mistake until later. I'll have to email Paul about the bug. Robin
I'm glad it helped, Dhruvin!
I had some doubts about this one. Thanks for straightening me out. Great hub, as usual!
Thanks, wajay_47! I'm glad it helped. ;)
>>I don't know if it's a Mac thing, or if I'm losing connectivity.
Sorry, there seems to be a bug in the comments! I was trying to say that I have the same problem with a PC running IE. It's not a Mac thing -- it's a bug. I think the odd glitch we have in Hubpages will disappear as time goes on.
I think so too. Paul says they are working really hard to fix all of the bugs. I know that part of my problem is a connectivity thing. We have DSL and we just quit and are getting cable. It's funny how impatient I can be with my Internet connection. I can't imagine using dial-up! Thanks for letting me know you were having a problem too. I'll tell Paul. If you have the time, you can email him whenever you see a bug in the system. He really likes to know. ;)
How about this construction?
Neither of the girls was present.
Neither of the girls were present.
Both sound right to me.
Your second example is correct, "Neither of the girls were present." You are speaking of more than one girl, so you need the plural "to be" form: were. Thanks for the comment, Holly!
thanks for revisions
Hello,
Could you tell me which one of the following sounds more correct, please.
This matter does not have any impact either on ... or on ...
This matter does have neither impact on ... nor on ...
Thank you. Gabi
...or the following might be even better:
This matter does neither have an impact on ...nor on...
...what do you think?
Hi Gabi,
I would phrase the sentence:Â This matter does not have any impact on ... or ....
I don't think that there is any need for the words "neither" or "either". Hope that helps!
thank you for article
I've always been confused about using the word "either" to describe objects surrounding another object. As an example, I'll hear something to the effect of, "My speakers are on either side of my monitor." This has always sounded silly to me, and seems incorrect according to your definition above (one or the other, but not both).
What's the correct way to say this?
And thanks for all the other great tips! I really enjoyed them!
What should one do if there is a list of three items to which a certain situation does not apply? Can one get around it by separating the third item in the list by commas?
Say, for instance, "Neither the government, nor the civil cervice, nor even the prime minister, advocates this policy." ?
Thanks for a very useful hub!
Monica
I just want to know why you wrote: Neither Corie nor Bob went to the play. (Corie isn't going to the play. Bob isn't going to the play.) When the sentences in brackets are in future tense. I am an English teacher from Ecuador. Thanks a lot
I used to confused about on this issue. The only thing I am still confused is verb structure. As you say, one of the plural elements would be enough for being plural verbs. What I've knew is to being a plural verbs depends on the subject/object which close to verb or preceding the verb. Do you mind helping me on this matter? It would be great if you make it clear. Thank you.
OK.... thats what I thought... but I do have a follow up: where you use the example, "She said, 'I don't like broccoli' I said, 'Neither do I.'", could one also say "Nor do I" in response?
I have heard that you can use "Either" or "Neither" in a sentence without being paired. I mean, without using "or" or "nor", but I didn't get to find any explanation about it on the web. You get always to find them paired. Would you post some info and examples by using "Either" or "Neither" alone?Thanks and congratulations for the entry.
working
jamestedmondson says:
2 years ago
I was totally correct, right off the bat. So what if my dad is an english teacher? I mean, he mostly taught the dumb kids, but man can he diagram a sentence!