The pairing neither nor plays a negative role, so take care to avoid an unintended double negative. So neither either so so is used to show agreement with positive statements. Conjunctions are normally not very easy for students. Printable and online exercises neither nor, either, too, so, but grammar worksheet with answers. If the comma serves another grammatical function in the sentence, then it should be used, whether or not it separates parts of a correlative conjunction pair.
I use so do i to say that a positive sentence is also true for me, and i use neither do i to say that a negative sentence is also true for me. But these two can be used in so many different contexts that their meanings can become. When using eitheror and neithernor, note the following rules. But in order to write more complex sentences they have to know how to join their ideas more effectively. Remember that we are talking about the verb and not the meaning of the message. Using either or, neither nor, both english grammar here. This structure, neither nor, is used to connect the same kind of word or phrase in the sentence. From the american copy editors society a tricky agreement problem.
If you found this grammar guide about the difference between so, neither and either useful, let others know. Try our interactive game to practice the difference between these words at. We use either before the first of two alternatives specified. We use either or for connecting things which are the same types, phrases, clauses or words. We use eitheror for connecting things which are the same types, phrases, clauses or words. We can either eat now or after the show its up to you.
The quick answer the pairing neither nor plays a negative role, so take care to avoid an unintended double negative. Please subscribe to this channel and share the video. Some additional rules for either or and neither nor it can be tricky to figure out verb agreement when youre using these constructions. Correlative conjunctions are pairs such as neither. Connect these sentences using the conjunction in parenthesis. Both michael and sarah got their christmas presents. You can do this by making sure that the verb and the noun that is closest to the verb agree with each other.
She has neither eaten anything nor slept in two days. Eitheror neithernor either or used when referring to a choice between two possibilities. Neither my dad nor my mom wears fashionable clothes. Use neither for negative sentences when you talk about two things or people. Try our interactive game to practice the difference between both, either and neither.
Complete the sentence with or, nor, either or, neither nor or verb agreement. So neither either differences and use english grammar rules. Well then, neither peter nor john will be able to come. In spoken language, the plural form of the verb is more usual. Grammar lessons either or and neither nor my english pages. Compare your responses to the feedback by clicking the check or check 110 button. Infographic explaining verb agreement with either and neither. We use either or for connect things which are the same types, phrases, clauses or words.
It is possible to find examples in print or on the web where these words are comparing many alternatives, but this should be avoided whenever possible. Neithernor neither nor is used to link two choices that are not available. If you found this english grammar about both either neither interesting or useful, let others know about it. In this english lesson you will see learn how we use both, either and neither in english when referring to two people or things. Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. Comma between correlative conjunction sets grammarly. Either refers to any one of the two things or people. Neither the blue one nor the red is available in size 4. If one or both of the alternatives are plural, use a plural verb. See more about so, neither and either as short answers. Written by bob wilson robert clifford mcnair wilson 2008. English lesson how to use both, either and neither. Either or neither nor either or used when referring to a choice between two possibilities.
Use a plural verb if one or both elements are plural. Home page for english grammar today on cambridge dictionary. Either jacy or myra will help you with your children. Many aspirants find difficulty in english grammar section while preparing for competitive exams like ssc cgl, ssc chsl, rrb, ibps, sbi and other competitive exams. However, if one of the elements is plural, then use a plural verb. Just as either can stand by itself as a pronoun, so can neither. So, too, neither and either perfect english grammar. The verb in an or, either or, or neither nor sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it examples. Two singular nouns connected by or or nor take a singular verb neither charles nor benjamin was present there neither he nor his dad is good at driving when one of the nouns connected by or or nor is plural, the verb must be plural, and the plural subject must be placed next to the verb. Whether you are using either or neither, you can only frame two alternativeselements. If you found this grammar guide about the difference between so, neither and either. Use eitheror to indicate that there are two possibilitiesalternatives but not both.
Neither leila nor nancy is going to write the report. Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf this rule. Neither is paired with nor and either is paired with or. A variety of english grammar notes and rules including charts and examples for beginner to advanced level students.
S either excludes we could go either to the beach or to the mountains s neither for nothing i like neither heavy metal nor techno music. Either you or jenny has to ask my permission for going out. Neither either and neither represent a pair of words frequently used in the english vocabulary. In addition, they are also used wrongly quite often, so everything becomes even more unclear. Neither nor when two subjects are joined by neither nor or either or, choosing the right. If the comma serves another grammatical function in the sentence, then it.
English grammar tips with gymglish, online english lessons. Sometimes either and neither appear in the correlative conjunction pairs eitheror and neithernor. The verb agrees with the noun that is closer to it. There were trees on either side of the road both sides of the road 4. Either or used in a sentence in the affirmative sense when referring to a choice between two possibilities. How to use either vs neither correctly grammarist grammarist is a professional online english grammar dictionary, that provides a variety of grammatical tools, rules and tips in order to improve your grammar. Dec 10, 2016 in this english lesson you will see learn how we use both, either and neither in english when referring to two people or things. The view at the top of mountain was neither spectacular nor very visible. When using either or and neither nor, be sure to maintain subjectverb agreement. Compare your responses to the feedback by clicking the. When it comes to movies, i like neither comedies nor romances. Eitheror and neithernor are correlative conjunctions.
Either the boys or the girls have hidden the sweets. Understanding grammar is key to understanding a language. Omit either but not neither it often makes sense to have a sentence without the word either. Either and neither download this explanation in pdf here. He either keeps the keys himself or leaves them with his wife. Last week, my mother emailed to ask if she was using the word nor correctly, which brings me to todays post. My grandpa neither likes nor cares about the technology. But these two can be used in so many different contexts that their meanings can become confusing. Despite being just a single letter apart from each other, the two words either vs. So, too, neither and either so do i and neither do i download this explanation in pdf here. You cannot mix them, but often the word either is omitted. John might have your coat, or henry might have your coat. Neither makes a negative statement about two people or things. The problem is that both, either and neither and in particular both have different functions.
If youre writing for a particularly formal publication, though, you might want to stick to just two items when youre using either or or neither nor. As is the case with many grammar rules, there are exceptions to the rule regarding commas between correlative conjunctions. Complete the sentence with or, nor, eitheror, neithernor or verb agreement. Neither my mother nor my father went to university. I used to like playing bothfootball andbasketball when i was young. Either is always considered singular in a sentence. Either, neither, both examples, how to use speakspeak. Treat a pairing like either or or neither nor as singular if the elements are singular, but treat the pairing as plural if one of the elements is plural.
If both elements are singular, then the verb is singular too. He will neither come here nor send a representative. According to context and to the grammar book you consult, they can be considered as quantifiers, adjectives. There is a different convention called the proximity rule. According to context and to the grammar book you consult, they can be considered as quantifiers, adjectives, pronouns, correlating coordinators or adverbs. Neither nor when they are used together, they negate both parts of the statement. Eitheror and neither nor are correlative conjunctions. Neither will the workers go off strike, nor negotiate until they receive a higher pay. There were neither cakes nor icecream at the party. Exercise on both, either, neither, nor and so learn english online free exercises, explanations, games, teaching materials and plenty of information on english language. Neither nor used in a sentence in the negative sense when you want to say that two or more things are not true. Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf. Use either when you talk about two things or people.
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