Introduction
Do you ever freeze when you need to agree with a negative statement or offer a choice between two things? You are not alone. The words either and neither are small but mighty, and they cause confusion for even advanced English learners. This guide will give you a clear, practical system for using both words correctly in everyday conversation and writing. By the end, you will respond naturally and confidently in positive and negative contexts.
What Is Either vs Neither?
Simply put, either means “one or the other” and is used in positive contexts, while neither means “not one and not the other” and is used in negative contexts. Think of neither as the negative twin of either. They appear in three main situations: making a choice between two options, agreeing with a positive or negative statement, and adding a negative fact to a previous one. Understanding which situation you are in will tell you which word to use.
Rules
Follow these numbered rules to avoid confusion. They cover the core grammar patterns for B1–B2 learners.
- Rule 1 – Choice between two: Use either with or to present two positive options. Example: You can have either tea or coffee.
- Rule 2 – No choice between two: Use neither with nor to reject both options. Example: I want neither tea nor coffee.
- Rule 3 – Agreement with a positive statement: Use either after “too” or “also” in affirmative responses. Example: “I love pizza.” “I love pizza too.” (Here, “too” is the positive partner, but you can also say “Me either” in informal speech, though strictly “Me too” is preferred.)
- Rule 4 – Agreement with a negative statement: Use neither or either at the end of a negative clause. Example: “I don’t like spiders.” “I don’t like them either.” OR “Neither do I.”
- Rule 5 – Negative addition with inversion: Use neither + auxiliary verb + subject to add a negative fact. Example: “She hasn’t finished.” “Neither have I.”
- Rule 6 – Singular verb agreement: When either or neither stands alone as a subject, use a singular verb. Example: Neither of the answers is correct.
- Rule 7 – Either as a determiner: Use either before a singular noun to mean “one or the other.” Example: You can sit on either side.
- Rule 8 – Neither as a determiner: Use neither before a singular noun to mean “not one and not the other.” Example: Neither parent came to the meeting.
How to Use It
Follow this step-by-step method to choose the correct word every time.
Step 1: Identify the function. Ask yourself: Am I offering a choice, agreeing with someone, or adding a negative fact?
Step 2: Check the polarity. Is the sentence positive or negative? If it is positive, you likely need either. If it is negative, you likely need neither (or either at the end of a negative clause).
Step 3: Apply the structure. For choices, use either/or or neither/nor. For agreement with a positive statement, say “Me too” or “So do I.” For agreement with a negative statement, say “Me neither” or “Neither + auxiliary + subject.” For negative addition, use “Neither + auxiliary + subject” after a negative clause.
Step 4: Check verb agreement. If either or neither is the subject, use a singular verb. If it is paired with or/nor, the verb agrees with the closest subject.
Step 5: Practice with examples. Write your own sentences using each rule. Say them out loud to build muscle memory.
Examples in Sentences
Here are 10+ natural sentences. The grammar point is in bold.
- You can choose either the red dress or the blue one for the party.
- Neither the manager nor the assistant knew about the schedule change.
- “I haven’t seen that movie yet.” “I haven’t seen it either.”
- “I can’t swim.” “Neither can I.”
- “I love chocolate.” “Me either!” (Informal positive agreement – note this is common in spoken English.)
- Either of the two routes leads to the city center.
- Neither of my brothers plays football.
- She doesn’t like coffee, and she doesn’t like tea either.
- He didn’t call, and neither did he send a text message.
- You can have either soup or salad with your main course.
- Neither answer is correct, so you need to try again.
- If you don’t go, neither will I.
Common Mistakes
Here are the top five errors ESL students make, with corrections.
Mistake 1: Using “either” in a negative agreement at the end.
❌ “I don’t like sushi.” “I don’t like sushi neither.”
✅ “I don’t like sushi.” “I don’t like sushi either.”
Explanation: In a negative clause, use either at the end. Neither is used with inversion at the start.
Mistake 2: Double negative with neither/nor.
❌ “I don’t want neither tea nor coffee.”
✅ “I want neither tea nor coffee.” OR “I don’t want tea or coffee.”
Explanation: Do not combine “not” with neither. Use one negative structure only.
Mistake 3: Wrong verb agreement with “neither of.”
❌ “Neither of the answers are correct.”
✅ “Neither of the answers is correct.”
Explanation: Neither is singular, so it takes a singular verb.
Mistake 4: Confusing “me either” and “me neither” for negative agreement.
❌ “I don’t like cold weather.” “Me either.” (This is technically incorrect in formal grammar.)
✅ “I don’t like cold weather.” “Me neither.” OR “Neither do I.”
Explanation: “Me either” is used informally by some native speakers, but for correct B2 grammar, use “Me neither” or “Neither + auxiliary + subject.”
Mistake 5: Using “either” with “nor.”
❌ “Either John nor Mary is coming.”
✅ “Either John or Mary is coming.” OR “Neither John nor Mary is coming.”
Explanation: Either pairs with or; neither pairs with nor.
Quick Summary
- Either = one or the other (positive).
- Neither = not one and not the other (negative).
- Use either/or for positive choices; neither/nor for negative choices.
- Agree with a negative statement using “Neither + auxiliary + subject” or “…not… either.”
- Agree with a positive statement using “So + auxiliary + subject” or “Me too.”
- Treat either and neither as singular subjects.
- Never use a double negative with neither.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with either, neither, or, nor, or the correct auxiliary verb. Answers are below.
- “I don’t eat meat.” “I don’t eat it __________.”
- You can take __________ the bus __________ the train to get downtown.
- __________ of the two films was interesting, so we left early.
- “She hasn’t visited Paris.” “__________ have I.”
- He speaks __________ French __________ German, so English is our only common language.
Answers:
- either
- either / or
- Neither
- Neither
- neither / nor
Conclusion
Mastering either and neither is a major step toward natural, fluent English. Remember the core idea: either is positive, neither is negative. Practice the patterns daily, and soon you will use them automatically. Keep this guide handy for review, and do not be afraid to make mistakes – that is how you learn.
FAQ
1. What is the difference between “me neither” and “me either”?
“Me neither” is grammatically correct for agreeing with a negative statement. “Me either” is used informally by some native speakers, but it is not accepted in formal or academic writing. For B2 level, always choose “Me neither” or “Neither + auxiliary + subject.”
2. Can I use “either” with more than two options?
Strictly speaking, no. Either is for two options. For three or more, use “any of” or “one of.” Example: “You can choose any of the three desserts.” Using either with three or more items is a common non-native error.
3. Is “neither” always singular?
Yes, when neither is a subject or a determiner, it takes a singular verb. Example: “Neither of the cars is fast.” However, in informal speech, some people use a plural verb (“Neither of the cars are fast”), but this is not considered standard in formal grammar.
4. How do I respond to “I don’t like homework”?
You have two correct options. You can say “I don’t like it either” (using either at the end of a negative clause), or you can say “Neither do I” (using inversion). Both are natural and correct, but they follow different structures.