Neither vs. either: How to use them correctly

Mik aka NatureCrankByMik aka NatureCrank Updated on
Using Neither and Either in English
A guide to understanding the differences between "neither" and "either" in English grammar.
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“Neither the sun nor the moon had shone in the sky yesterday.”

Confused about when to use either vs. neither? You aren’t alone. While they look nearly identical, using the wrong one can completely flip the meaning of your sentence.

What is the difference between either and neither?

At its simplest, either is positive and neither is negative. You use “either” to talk about one of two possibilities, and “neither” to say that not one of the two possibilities is true.

Our top picks for mastering English:

Quick comparison: Either vs. neither

FeatureEitherNeitherQuick example
MeaningOne or the otherNot one and not the other“Either day works for me.”
Partner wordOrNor“Neither the car nor the bike.”
ContextPositive/ChoiceNegative/Rejection“I don’t like either option.”
The “N” ruleNo “N” = PositiveIncludes “N” = Negative“Neither of them is here.”

When to use either: Rules and examples

The word “either” is versatile. It can function as a conjunction, a pronoun, or an adverb depending on your sentence structure.

1. As a conjunction (Either… or)

When used with “or,” it connects two distinct choices.

  • Example: “You can either call me tonight or send an email tomorrow.”

2. As a pronoun

It refers to one of two people or things.

  • Example: “Either of these two roads will lead you to the city center.”

3. As an adverb

In negative sentences, “either” is used to agree with a previous negative statement.

  • Example: “I don’t like spicy food, and I don’t like extremely salty food either.”

How to use neither without making mistakes

“Neither” is essentially “not either.” It functions as a negative word, so you should avoid using it with other negative words like “don’t” or “can’t” to prevent a double negative.

A helpful trick: If your sentence already has a negative word like don’t or can’t, you must use either. Save neither for sentences that don’t already have a ‘not’ in them.

A table explaining the proximity rule for neither nor, showing how the verb form agrees with the closest subject using examples of dogs and cats.
When using “neither… nor,” the verb must agree with the subject closest to it.

1. As a conjunction (Neither… nor)

When used with “nor,” it rejects both options provided.

  • Example: “Neither the sun nor the moon was visible through the thick clouds.”

2. As a pronoun

It means “none of the two.”

  • Example: “Neither of the candidates passed the initial screening.”

3. As an adverb

It can be used to show agreement with a negative statement.

  • Example: “I haven’t seen that movie.” “Neither have I.”

Common grammar rules: Singular or plural?

One of the most frequent questions is whether to use a singular or plural verb with these words.

  • The Rule: When “either” or “neither” is the subject, use a singular verb.
    • Correct: “Neither of the boys is going.”
    • Incorrect: “Neither of the boys are going.”
  • The Exception: When using “either… or” or “neither… nor” with two different subjects, the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
    • Example: “Neither the teacher nor the students are coming.” (The verb is plural because “students” is closer).

Frequently asked questions about either and neither

In casual conversation, both are used to agree with a negative statement (e.g., “I don’t like mushrooms.” “Me neither/either.”). However, “Me neither” is the most common and widely accepted version. If you want to be more formal or grammatically precise, use “Neither do I” or “I don’t either.”

Strictly speaking, no. Either and neither are designed for exactly two options.

  • For three or more positive options, use “any” or “any one of.” * For three or more negative options, use “none” or “none of.” * Example: “None of the three colors (not neither) matched the decor.”

You should never pair “neither” with “or.” The correct pairs are either/or and neither/nor. A simple way to remember this is the “N” rule: if the first word has an N (Neither), the second word must also have an N (Nor).

Since “neither” is already a negative word, using it with another negative (like don’t, won’t, or not) creates a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard English.

  • Incorrect: “I don’t want neither.”
  • Correct: “I want neither” or “I don’t want either.”

While neither of them is is technically correct for your English professor, neither of them are is what you’ll actually hear at the dinner table. If you’re writing a formal report, stick to the singular. If you’re writing a blog post, the plural often sounds more natural.

Generally, yes. Sentence structures using “neither” often sound more polished. For example, “I like neither” sounds more formal than “I don’t like either.” Both are correct, so choose the one that fits your brand’s voice.

Both “ee-ther” (long E) and “eye-ther” (long I) are correct. You can listen to the subtle differences in British vs. American pronunciation to see which fits your speech patterns best.

The decision tree: Either vs. neither

When you’re stuck between the two, ask yourself these two questions:

  1. Is the sentence already negative? (Does it have not, don’t, or can’t?)
    • Yes: Use Either. (“I don’t want either.”)
    • No: Proceed to question 2.
  2. Am I offering a choice or a total rejection?
    • Choice: Use Either. (“Either shirt is fine.”)
    • Rejection: Use Neither. (“Neither shirt fits.”)

Video: Either or/Neither nor in English

Conclusion: Master your grammar with the “N” rule

Choosing between either and neither doesn’t have to be a guessing game. By remembering that neither is simply the negative version of either, you can avoid common pitfalls like double negatives and incorrect verb agreement. Whether you are choosing between two options or rejecting them both, using these terms correctly will immediately elevate the clarity of your writing.

Join the conversation

Is there a specific grammar rule that always trips you up? Or perhaps you’ve heard a unique regional way to use either and neither?

We want to hear from you! Drop a comment below with your toughest grammar questions, and don’t forget to share this guide with a friend or colleague who wants to sharpen their English skills.

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Mik aka NatureCrank

About the author
Mik is a veteran, educator, and writer who has lived off-grid and nomadic since 2020. His perspective is shaped by a diverse career in both for-profit and non-profit management, as well as years of experience as an instructor in biology, psychology, health, and ESL.

By blending his formal studies in counseling and science with the practical realities of life on the trail, Mik provides a unique, grounded approach to nature-based healing. When he isn’t documenting the natural world through wildlife photography and geology, he is exploring the intersection of scientific research and the restorative power of the outdoors.

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