Either, neither: use, rules, examples, and exercises

Many grammatical topics require more detailed consideration, since knowledge gaps make it difficult not only to transfer information in the language being studied, but also to understand the speech of the speakers.

General information

One of the important topics is the words either, neither. The use of these lexical units has certain characteristics, because in different cases they can act as an adverb, pronoun or union. They are also used in various designs.

As for the pronunciation neither / either, the phonetics rule allows two options. The difference is due only to the peculiarities of dialects. The stress falls on the first syllable.

• In the UK they say mostly [aɪðə], [naɪðə].
• In the United States and some northern regions of England, the variant [i: ðə], [ni: ðə] is distributed.

Some cases of applying the words either / neither, use as different parts of speech, as well as in some stable expressions are considered below.

The features of using different versions of the translation "too" and "also"

The most common variants of the translation of the words "too", "also" are English equivalents too, also. However, there are constructions in which the use of these words will be a mistake.

How is the Russian phrase "me too" translated? It all depends on what the answer to this saying is this expression. If the interlocutor's suggestion was affirmative, what do you want to say "me too", then too . If you want to say "me too" in response to a negative saying, then you should use the phrase me neither. In the event that you respond to the phrase of the interlocutor and use the particle not , you should put either .

Consider the following examples:

• I like juice. - Me too . (I love the juice.) I too.)
• I do not like juice. - Me neither . (I do not like juice.) I too.)
• I do not like tea. - I do not like tea either . (I do not like tea.) I do not like tea either). Or neither do I. (I also do not like it.)

The first two cases are very simple to understand. If the phrase "me too" is a response to the affirmative statement of the interlocutor, you use the phrase me too. If you agree with a negative sentence, then answer me neither. The third case involves the combination of the not particle and the adverb either in one sentence.

Neither / either: the rule of constructions "or ... or ...", "neither ... nor ..."

In similar terms, the above words act as unions. The equivalent of the Russian construction "or ... or ..." is the English formula either ... or. That is, the first "or" is translated as either, and the second is translated as or. This expression is used in those cases when it is a question of choosing between two units, but you can choose only one thing.

Examples:

• Either you make an anapology now or I'll tell your mother. "Either you're apologizing now, or I'll tell your mom."
• They want to go either to Argentina or to Venezuela for winter holidays. - For the winter holidays, they want to go either to Argentina or to Venezuela.

When it is necessary to translate a sentence containing the words "neither ... nor", the English construction neither ... nor is used.

Examples:

• Neither Mary nor Ann brought this book. "Neither Mary nor Anna brought this book."
• You can have n or icecream n or cake before the dinner. "You can not eat ice cream or a cake before dinner."

Note

It is important to remember that, unlike the Russian formula, where in addition to "no" is used another particle "not" (He does not eat fish or meat), in the English version the negative particle is omitted: He _ eats neither fish nor meat. In such cases, you can not use not along with the installed structure. The English formula already suggests that the sentence is negative. This is one of the common mistakes of beginners.

"Any" and "no"

The translation of the Russian word "any" depends on the context. To understand this nuance is easier on specific examples:

• Which book can I read? - You can take any of them. (What book can I read? - You can take any of them.)

This example illustrates the case when there are several options (more than two). If you need to choose one of the two, the answer is:

• You can read either (one / of them). - You can read any (from two). Or neither , which means "none" (of the two).

Note: in cases where you want to use the word "both", both is used. For example:

• I like both books. "I like both books."

Compare with the following examples:

• I like neither books. "I do not like any of the two books.
• I can read either book. - I can read any of the (two) books.
• I can read any book. - I can read any book (in general).

Either, nor: use in other phrases

Practically for each word, you can find a certain set of stable expressions that you need to know. This will make your speech more colorful and expressive.

Either:

• ~ Way - whatever it is / there it is;
• From ~ direction - from either side;
• In ~ case / event - in any / in this or that case;
• On ~ hand / side - on both sides;
• Give a month or so ~ way - with a possible deviation per month in one direction or another.

Neither:

• I am not off nor on - I can not decide, I hesitate;
• ~ Fish nor flesh- neither fish nor meat;
• ~ Here nor there - inopportunely, does not play a special role, it is not important;
• ~ More nor less than - just, only, nothing more;
• ~ Way - neither way that way, neither that nor this;
• On ~ side - no way.

Try to enrich your active vocabulary with additional expressions, gradually learning new phrases.

Exercises with answers

To successfully master any topic, be it grammatical rules or a set of vocabulary, you should apply the new material in practice. In addition to making proposals, it is also useful to carry out assignments. If you work out enough exercises to substitute the words either / neither, the sentences will be made much easier. You can freely use them in your daily speech with native speakers of English. Any knowledge should be immediately applied, otherwise they are forgotten.

Insert the missing words either / neither . An exercise:

1. She can not ride a horse. I can not ride them ... (She can not ride a horse.) I can not ride them either.)
2. I've never been to China. - Me ... (I've never been to China. - Me too.)
3. I can not understand that language. I can not understand this language. "" I also. "
4. I speak ... French nor Spanish. (I do not speak neither French nor Spanish.)
5. You can go ... to Japan or to Vietnam. (You can go either to Japan or to Vietnam.)
6. Ann will not go to school tomorrow. (Ana does not go to school tomorrow.) Her brother does not go either.)
7. Which pencil can I take? - ... of them. (What pencil can I take?) - None of them.)

Answers:

1, 3, 5, 6 - either;
2, 4, 7 - neither.

It is important to carefully consider the context, using this or that lexicon, including either / neither . The use of certain words in English has its own peculiarities, which are not Russian.