Both Either Neither

BOTH- EITHER- NEITHER

Yılmaz AZMANTeacher of English

BOTHBoth refers to TWO people or things. It has a positive meaning and it takes a verb in the plural. It’s the negative of NEITHER / NOT EITHER.

EXERCISES

James and Robin are students.

Both James and Robin are students.They are both students.Both of them are students.Both boys are students.

I play the guitar and sing a song.

I both play the guitar and sing a song.

John can drive a car. Tom can drive a car.

Both John and Tom can drive a car.They both can drive a car.Both of them can drive a car.Both boys can drive a car.

ALL

• All refers to more than two people or things. It has a positive meaning and takes a verb in the plural. It is the opposite of none.

All the children laughed.All the children laughed.

All of them laughed.All of them laughed.

They all laughed.They all laughed.

All three of them laughed.All three of them laughed.

NONENONE

NoneNone refers to more than two people or things. refers to more than two people or things. It has a negative meaning and isn’t followed It has a negative meaning and isn’t followed by a noun.by a noun.

Are there any biscuits left? - no, Are there any biscuits left? - no, nonenone.. How much coffee do you want ? – How much coffee do you want ? – none.none.

None ofNone of None ofNone of is used before nouns or object is used before nouns or object

pronouns followed by a verb either pronouns followed by a verb either singular or plural. It is the opposite of singular or plural. It is the opposite of ALLALL..

None of us know you.None of us know you. None of the students came early.None of the students came early. None of four boys know how to ride a None of four boys know how to ride a

bikebike

EITHER / NEITHER

Either (= any of two) Neither (=not one and not the other)

Either and Neither refer to two people or things and are used before singular countable nouns.

examples

Would you like to drink coke or fanta?

- Either. (it makes no difference.)- Neither. (none of the two)

Either of

• Either of + singular / plural noun

• Either of the students is / are intelligent.• Either of them is / are married.• Either of us was / were at home last night.

Neither of

• Neither of + singular / plural noun

• Neither of them is / are at home now.• Neither of you is / are lazy.• Neither of us was / were at home last

weekend.