English Grammar

EITHER, NEITHER

User since 2011
Posts: 5

17 May 2013

Either is a mistake or I don"t understand the difference between either and neither

I think there is a mistake in the grammar lesson I receive today :

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Let's review:

EITHER, NEITHER
Différents emplois de either et neither :

Either et neither peuvent être traduits par 'non plus'. Either est employé dans des constructions négatives, alors que neither s'utilise dans des constructions affirmatives.
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2 comments

AhQ ['a: kiu]
User since 2006
Posts: 2715
19 May 2013

EITHER this forum OR another English speaking place is good to improve one's English. (soit.. soit..) /// I was looking at two paintings and the seller told me I could buy either of them. (l'un ou l'autre) Was I to buy or not? In either way I could make it. (dans chaque cas) ///There are doors at either side of the car. (de chaque côté) ///At school this morning could you meet neither a teacher or students. = At school this morning couldn't you meet either a teacher or students. (ni... ni...) ///John didn't cry. I didn't either. = Neither did I. (non plus) ///I hope this is correct even though incomplete. See you, Sebastien.
EITHER this forum OR another English speaking place is good to improve one's English. (soit.. soit..) /// I was looking at two paintings and the seller told me I could buy either of them. (l'un ou l'autre) Was I to buy or not? In either way I could make it. (dans chaque cas) ///There are doors at either side of the car. (de chaque côté) ///At school this morning could you meet neither a teacher or students. = At school this morning couldn't you meet either a teacher or students. (ni... ni...) ///John didn't cry. I didn't either. = Neither did I. (non plus) ///I hope this is correct even though incomplete. See you, Sebastien.
Dwight
User since 2012
Posts: 32
31 May 2013

It's helpful to consider "neither" as the negative, the negated form of "either". It is used, amongst other uses (like in neither - nor), to express a negation in the meaning of "not, too" or "not, as well".

An example would be:

"I have to admit, Mrs. Jones. We don't fast during Lent." "Don't worry, Mr. Smith . We neither."

where "neither" can be considered as a contracted form "We do not, either", synonymous with "We do not, too".

"Either", on the other hand, is the positive form, in the sense of "as well":

"I don't like carbon dioxide". And I don't like diethyl either".

(OK, that's a pun) synonymously with "I don't like diethyl, too".
It's helpful to consider "neither" as the negative, the negated form of "either". It is used, amongst other uses (like in neither - nor), to express a negation in the meaning of "not, too" or "not, as well". An example would be: "I have to admit, Mrs. Jones. We don't fast during Lent." "Don't worry, Mr. Smith . We neither." where "neither" can be considered as a contracted form "We do not, either", synonymous with "We do not, too". "Either", on the other hand, is the positive form, in the sense of "as well": "I don't like carbon dioxide". And I don't like diethyl either". (OK, that's a pun) synonymously with "I don't like diethyl, too".

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