Grammar: Both/neither/either
Read the rules:
We use both/neither/either for two things. You can use these words with a noun (both books, neither book etc.). For example, you are going out to eat. There are two possible restaurants. You say:
· Both restaurants are very good. (not The both restaurants)
· Neither restaurant is expensive.
· We can go to either restaurant. I don't mind. (either = one or the other, it doesn't matter which one)
We use both of / neither of / either of + the/these/my/Tom's ... etc. So we say "both of the restaurants", "both of those restaurants" etc. (but not both of restaurants):
· Both of these restaurants are very good.
· Neither of the restaurants we went to was (or were) expensive.
· I haven't been to either of those restaurants. (= I haven't been to one or the other)
You don't need of after both. So you can say:
· Both my parents are from London.
· or Both of my parents ...
You can use both of / neither of / either of + us/you/them:
· (talking to two people) Can either of you speak Spanish?
· I asked two people the way to the station, but neither of them could help me.
You must say "both of" before us/you/them:
· Both of us were very tired. (not Both us were ...)
After neither of ... a singular or a plural verb is possible:
· Neither of the children wants (or want) to go to bed.
You can also use both/neither/either alone, without a noun:
· I couldn't decide which of the two shirts to buy. I liked both. (or I liked both of them.)
· "Is your friend British or American?" "Neither. She's Australian."
· "Do you want tea or coffee?" "Either. I don't mind."
Both ... and …
· Both Chris and Pat were late.
· I was both tired and hungry when I arrived home.
Neither ... nor …
· Neither Chris nor Pat came to the party.
· Tom said he would contact me, but he neither wrote nor phoned.
Either ... or …
· I'm not sure where Maria's from. She's either Spanish or Italian.
· Either you apologise or I'll never speak to you again.