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Unit 82 · Determiners and pronouns

both either neither

Study

A

We use both/either/neither to talk about two things or people:

›

Rebecca has two children. Both are married. (both = the two children)

›

Would you like tea or coffee? You can have either. (either = tea or coffee)

›

A: Do you want to go to the cinema or the theatre? B: Neither. I want to stay at home. (neither = not the cinema or the theatre)

Compare either and neither:

›

'Would you like tea or coffee?' 'Either. I don't mind.' (= tea or coffee) 'I don't want either.' (not I don't want neither) 'Neither.' (= not tea or coffee)

B

both/either/neither + noun

both + plural both windows/books/children etc.
either + singular either window/book/child etc.
neither neither
›

Last year I went to Paris and Rome. I liked both cities very much.

›

First I worked in an office, and later in a shop. Neither job was very interesting.

›

There are two ways from here to the station. You can go either way.

C

both of ... / either of ... / neither of ...

both (of) the ...
either of these/those ...
neither my/your/Paul's ... etc.
›

Neither of my parents is British.

›

I haven't read either of these books.

You can say both of the/those/my ... or both the/those/my ... (with or without of):

›

I like both of those pictures. or I like both those pictures.

›

Both of Paul's sisters are married. or Both Paul's sisters are married.

›

but Neither of Paul's sisters is married. (not Neither Paul's sisters)

D

both of them / neither of us

both them
either of us
neither you
›

Paul has two sisters. Both of them are married.

›

Sue and I didn't eat anything. Neither of us was hungry.

›

Who are those two people? I don't know either of them.

Exercises (3)

0/3 exercises checked
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82.1

Write both/either/neither. Use of where necessary.

  1. 1
    Last year I went to Paris and Rome. I liked cities very much.example
  2. 2
    There were two pictures on the wall. I didn't like them.example
  3. 3
    It was a good football match. teams played well.
  4. 4
    It wasn't a good football match. team played well.
  5. 5
    'Is your friend English or American?' '. She's Australian.'
  6. 6
    We went away for two days, but the weather wasn't good. It rained days.
  7. 7
    A: I bought two newspapers. Which one do you want?
    B: . It doesn't matter which one.
  8. 8
    I invited Sam and Chris to the party, but them came.
  9. 9
    'Do you go to work by car or by bus?' '. I always walk.'
  10. 10
    'Which jacket do you prefer, this one or that one?' 'I don't like them.'
  11. 11
    'Do you work or are you a student?' '. I work and I'm a student too.'
  12. 12
    My friend and I went to the cinema, but us liked the film. It was really bad.
  13. 13
    Helen has two sisters and a brother. sisters are married.
  14. 14
    Helen has two sisters and a brother. I've met her brother, but I haven't met her sisters.
82.2

Complete the sentences for the pictures. Use Both ... and Neither ...

  1. 1Two empty cups
    empty.example
  2. 2Two open windows
    are open.
  3. 3Two men, neither wearing a hat
    wearing a hat.
  4. 4Two men, both with beards
    beards.
  5. 5Two buses both going to the airport
    to the airport.
  6. 6Neither answer is correct
    correct.
82.3

A man and a woman answered some questions. Their answers were the same. Write sentences with Both/Neither of them ...

  1. 1
    Are you married? No / No
    example
  2. 2
    How old are you? 21 / 21
    example
  3. 3
    Are you a student? Yes / Yes
    Both of them are .
  4. 4
    Do you have a car? No / No
    Neither of them has .
  5. 5
    Where do you live? London / London
    Both of them live in .
  6. 6
    Do you like cooking? Yes / Yes
    Both of them like .
  7. 7
    Can you play the piano? No / No
    Neither of them can play the .
  8. 8
    Do you eat seafood? Yes / Yes
    Both of them eat .
  9. 9
    Are you interested in sport? No / No
    Neither of them is interested in .