Introduction
Do you ever get stuck deciding whether to use neither nor or either or? You are not alone. These two pairs of words are called correlative conjunctions, and they help us connect two ideas in a sentence. Choosing the wrong one can change the entire meaning of what you say. In this blog post, you will learn the simple rules, see plenty of examples, and avoid the most common mistakes. By the end, you will feel confident using both structures naturally.
What Is Neither Nor and Either Or?
Either or is used to give a choice between two options. It means “one or the other, but not both.” For example: You can have either coffee or tea.
Neither nor is the negative form. It means “not one and not the other.” It shows that both options are not true or not possible. For example: She likes neither cats nor dogs.
Think of either or as offering a positive choice, and neither nor as rejecting both choices.
Rules for Using Neither Nor and Either Or
- Use “either or” for a choice between two things. Example: We can go either to the beach or to the mountains.
- Use “neither nor” to say that both things are not true. Example: He speaks neither French nor Spanish.
- Match the verb to the subject closest to it. This is called the “proximity rule.” Example: Neither the teacher nor the students are ready. (The verb “are” agrees with “students.”)
- Do not use double negatives. Because “neither” is already negative, do not add another negative word like “not.” Example: ❌ I don’t like neither option. ✅ I like neither option.
- Use parallel structure. Both parts after “either” and “or” (or “neither” and “nor”) should be the same grammatical form. Example: She wants either to study or to sleep. (Both are infinitive verbs.)
How to Use Neither Nor and Either Or Step by Step
Follow these steps to build correct sentences:
- Decide if you are offering a choice or rejecting both. If you want to give a positive choice, use either or. If you want to say both are not true, use neither nor.
- Place the first word before the first option and the second word before the second option. Example: I will buy either the red shirt or the blue shirt.
- Check the verb agreement. Look at the noun or pronoun closest to the verb. If it is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb. Example: Neither the manager nor the employees know the answer. (The verb “know” agrees with “employees.”)
- Make sure the grammar is parallel. If you use a noun after “either,” use a noun after “or.” If you use a verb phrase, keep both sides verb phrases. Example: You can either call me or send an email. (Both are verb phrases.)
Examples in Sentences
Here are 10+ sentences that show how to use either or and neither nor correctly. The grammar point is in bold.
- You can have either pizza or pasta for dinner.
- She speaks neither English nor Chinese.
- Either John or his sister will pick you up.
- Neither the blue car nor the red car is available.
- We can either stay home or go to the park.
- He likes neither coffee nor tea.
- Either you finish your homework or you cannot watch TV.
- Neither the cat nor the dog has eaten today.
- I want to buy either a new laptop or a tablet.
- Neither the teacher nor the students were late.
- You can either pay now or pay later.
- Neither Anna nor her friends are coming to the party.
Common Mistakes
Here are five frequent errors learners make with neither nor and either or. Study the wrong and correct versions carefully.
- Mistake 1: Using “neither” with “or”
❌ She likes neither coffee or tea.
✅ She likes neither coffee nor tea. - Mistake 2: Using “either” with “nor”
❌ You can have either cake nor ice cream.
✅ You can have either cake or ice cream. - Mistake 3: Double negative with “neither”
❌ I don’t want neither option.
✅ I want neither option. OR I don’t want either option. - Mistake 4: Wrong verb agreement
❌ Neither the manager nor the employees knows the answer.
✅ Neither the manager nor the employees know the answer. (Verb agrees with “employees.”) - Mistake 5: Not using parallel structure
❌ She wants either to study or sleeping.
✅ She wants either to study or to sleep. (Both are infinitive phrases.)
Quick Summary
- Either or = a choice between two options (positive).
- Neither nor = both options are not true (negative).
- Always use either with or and neither with nor.
- The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (proximity rule).
- Avoid double negatives with neither.
- Keep the grammar parallel on both sides of the pair.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with either … or or neither … nor. Check your answers below.
- You can have _______ the chocolate cake _______ the fruit salad.
- She _______ speaks Italian _______ Spanish. She only knows English.
- _______ my brother _______ my sister are coming to the wedding.
- We need to _______ finish the project today _______ miss the deadline.
- He likes _______ horror movies _______ action films. He prefers comedies.
Answers:
- either, or
- neither, nor
- Neither, nor (or “Either, or” if one of them is coming — but here “are coming” suggests both, so “neither … nor” works best if both are not coming. For this exercise, we assume both are not coming.)
- either, or
- neither, nor
Conclusion
Now you know the difference between neither nor and either or. Remember: either or gives a choice, and neither nor rejects both. Practice using these structures in your writing and speaking, and pay attention to verb agreement and parallel structure. With a little practice, you will use them like a native speaker.
FAQ
1. Can I use “neither” and “nor” with more than two items?
Technically, yes. You can list three or more items, but it is less common and can sound awkward. For example: He likes neither coffee, nor tea, nor juice. In everyday English, it is better to say: He doesn’t like coffee, tea, or juice.
2. What is the difference between “neither” and “either” when used alone?
When used alone (without “nor” or “or”), neither means “not one” and either means “one or the other.” Example: I asked two friends, but neither could help. (Not one of them.) You can choose either. (You can choose one of the two.)
3. Is it correct to say “neither of them” or “either of them”?
Yes, both are correct. Use neither of them to mean “not one of the two people/things.” Use either of them to mean “one of the two.” Example: Neither of them knows the answer. (Both don’t know.) Either of them can help you. (Both are available to help.)
4. Do I need to use a singular or plural verb after “neither of” or “either of”?
In formal English, use a singular verb. Example: Neither of the answers is correct. However, in everyday spoken English, many people use a plural verb, especially with plural nouns: Neither of the answers are correct. Both are widely accepted, but the singular is more grammatically formal.