Both, Either, Neither — Exercises
Practice both, either, and neither together as determiners, pronouns, and correlative conjunctions (both...and, either...or, neither...nor). Covers plural vs singular verb agreement, 'both of' constructions, and avoiding double negatives with neither.
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___ of my parents are doctors at the same hospital.
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Both
'Both' means the two together. The plural verb 'are' confirms it.
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You can sit on ___ side of the table — both are free.
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either
'Either' = one or the other; it doesn't matter which.
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I tried two cafés in the area, but ___ was open.
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neither
'Neither' = not one and not the other — a negative result.
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Both restaurants ___ excellent reviews online.
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have
'Both' always takes a plural verb — 'both restaurants have'.
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Neither answer ___ correct, I'm afraid.
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is
'Neither' takes a singular verb — 'neither answer is'.
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She speaks both French ___ German fluently.
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and
'Both' pairs with 'and' — 'both ... and'.
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We can either walk ___ take the bus into town.
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or
'Either' pairs with 'or' — 'either ... or'.
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He neither called ___ texted me all weekend.
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nor
'Neither' pairs with 'nor', never 'or' — 'neither ... nor'.
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Either bus ___ you straight to the station.
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takes
'Either' takes a singular verb — 'either bus takes'.
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The hotel was both clean ___ comfortable.
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and
'Both' pairs with 'and'.
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I have two jackets, but ___ of them fits me now.
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neither
'But' signals a negative result, and 'fits' is singular — 'neither of them fits'.
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The film was neither funny ___ exciting — quite a disappointment.
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nor
'Neither' must be paired with 'nor', never 'or'.
Both, Either, Neither: Determiners, Pronouns and Correlative Conjunctions
Both, either, and neither form a tightly linked system for talking about two things, but each word carries a different meaning and a different verb agreement rule. Both means the two together and always takes a plural verb. Either means one or the other — it doesn't matter which — and takes a singular verb. Neither means not one and not the other, is grammatically negative on its own, and also takes a singular verb. Each word can function as a determiner before a noun ('both restaurants'), as a pronoun with 'of' ('neither of them'), and as the first half of a correlative conjunction ('either...or'). Because 'neither' already carries a negative meaning, it must never be combined with a second negative word or verb — a rule that trips up learners whose first language allows double negation. These exercises test all three words together, in the same sentence types, so the differences in meaning and agreement become automatic.
Both — Two Things, One Positive Statement
'Both' points to two items together and requires a plural verb, whether it functions as a determiner, a pronoun with 'of', or part of 'both...and'.
Both restaurants have excellent reviews online. (never 'has')
She speaks both French and German fluently. (correlative conjunction)
I invited two friends, and both of them came. ('both of' + object pronoun)
Either — One or the Other, Free Choice
'Either' signals that there are two options and it makes no difference which one is chosen. As subject or determiner, it takes a singular verb.
Either bus takes you straight to the station. (singular verb)
We can either walk or take the bus into town. (correlative conjunction)
Neither — Not One, Not the Other
'Neither' rejects both options and is already negative, so it never combines with a second negative word or a negative verb. It takes a singular verb, and its correlative partner is always 'nor', never 'or'.
Neither answer is correct, I'm afraid. (singular verb, no second negative)
Neither of the plans is realistic enough to use.
He neither called nor texted me all weekend.
I really don't want either of these two jobs. (sentence already negative — use 'either', not 'neither')
Common Mistakes
✗ Neither answer are correct. → ✓ Neither answer is correct. (neither = singular verb)
✗ Neither of the plans aren't realistic. → ✓ Neither of the plans is realistic. (neither is already negative)
✗ He neither called or texted. → ✓ He neither called nor texted. (neither pairs with nor)
✗ I really don't want neither of these two jobs. → ✓ I really don't want either of these two jobs. (avoid double negative)
✗ Either bus take you to the station. → ✓ Either bus takes you to the station. (either = singular verb)
Last updated: · Satori Editorial