Either and neither both organize alternatives, but they create different meanings.
“Either route will take us downtown.”
“Neither route is open today.”
The first sentence leaves a choice available. The second excludes both routes. Both words are standard in American English and can refer to choices, people, objects, qualities, times, or possibilities.
The basic definitions matter, but grammar matters too. This guide explains their use in choices, negative statements, agreement, paired structures, and verb forms.
Quick Answer
- Use either when one alternative or another is available, when both options are acceptable, or when adding “also” to a negative statement.
- Use neither when none of the stated alternatives applies.
- Use either…or and neither…nor:
“Either answer is acceptable.”
“Neither answer is correct.”
After a negative verb, use either:
“I don’t want either option.”
For negative agreement, say “Me neither” in conversation or “Neither do I” in a fuller form.
Why People Confuse Them
The words look similar and can appear in the same sentence positions:
“Either candidate could win.”
“Neither candidate could win.”
Both can also stand alone:
“Either will work.”
“Neither works.”
The main confusion often comes from negative sentences. Neither carries a negative meaning by itself, while either can follow a negative verb:
“I like neither candidate.”
“I don’t like either candidate.”
Both sentences reject the candidates. The first places the negative meaning in neither. The second places it in don’t.
Key Differences At A Glance
| Context | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One option or another is possible | either | At least one alternative remains available. |
| Both options are acceptable | either | Either one can be chosen. |
| None of the alternatives applies | neither | All stated alternatives are excluded. |
| Alternatives are paired positively | either…or | This is the standard form. |
| Alternatives are paired negatively | neither…nor | This is the standard negative form. |
| A negative verb is already present | either | It avoids an unnecessary double negative. |
| Agreeing with a negative statement | neither | Use “Neither do I” or “Me neither.” |
| Referring to each of two sides | either | “Either side” commonly means each side. |
Compact comparison:
- Before a noun: either answer; neither answer.
- Standalone: Either works; neither works.
- Negative sentence: I didn’t choose either.
- Negative agreement: Neither did I.
- Usual verb agreement: Either is and neither is are safest in careful prose.
- Common error: “I don’t want neither” should usually be “I don’t want either.”
Meaning and Usage Difference
How Either Works
Either can mean one or the other:
“You may choose either dessert.”
It can also mean that both choices are acceptable:
“Either restaurant is fine.”
In some expressions, it means each of two:
“There were lamps on either side of the bed.”
- Either may appear before a noun, stand alone, or introduce alternatives:
- “Either answer could be correct.”
- “Either will work.”
“You can either call or text.”
It also appears in of constructions:
“Either of these keys should work.”
After a negative statement, either can mean “also”:
“I wasn’t invited either.”
How Neither Works
- Neither means not one and not the other:
- “Neither dessert contains nuts.”
- “Neither option appeals to me.”
It can introduce two excluded alternatives:
“Neither Ava nor Ben answered.”
It may appear before a noun, stand alone, or follow of:
- “Neither answer is correct.”
- “Neither works.”
- “Neither of these keys works.”
It also appears in negative agreement:
“I wasn’t invited.”
“Neither was Sam.”
Shared Grammar
Both usually precede singular countable nouns:
“Either route is possible.”
“Neither route is available.”
Both can occur in of + plural phrase constructions:
“Either of the plans may work.”
“Neither of them was ready.”
In careful prose, singular agreement is usually safest when either or neither is the subject. Informal plural agreement is common after neither of, but it is less dependable in edited writing.
Balanced paired structures are important:
“She enjoys either hiking or swimming.”
“Neither the manager nor the assistants were available.”
Tone, Context, and Formality
Both words are neutral and standard, but some structures sound more formal than others.
“Neither proposal meets the requirements” is compact and slightly more emphatic.
“I don’t think either proposal meets the requirements” often sounds more conversational.
For negative agreement, “Neither do I” is complete and suitable in careful speech or writing. “Me neither” is common and natural in conversation.
“Me either” also occurs in casual American speech, but it is not the safest choice in edited writing.
Standalone neither can sound direct:
“Do you want the red one or the blue one?”
“Neither.”
Either usually sounds neutral when both choices remain acceptable:
“Either restaurant is fine.”
Which One Should You Use?
Use either when one option or another is possible:
“Either Tuesday or Wednesday works.”
Use it when both are acceptable:
“Either payment method will work.”
Use it before or:
“You can either wait here or come back later.”
Use it after a negative verb or at the end of a negative clause:
“I can’t attend either meeting.”
“I didn’t receive the email either.”
Use neither when all stated choices are rejected:
“Neither Tuesday nor Wednesday works.”
Use it before nor:
“Neither the printer nor the scanner is working.”
Use it for negative agreement:
“I haven’t finished.”
“Neither have I.”
Decision test:
- Is at least one choice available? Use either.
- Are all choices excluded? Use neither.
- Is the verb already negative? Usually use either.
- Are elements paired? Check or, nor, and parallel structure.
When One Choice Sounds Wrong
Neither is wrong when the intended meaning leaves both choices acceptable:
Wrong meaning: “Neither route is fine.”
Better: “Either route is fine.”
Either is wrong in an affirmative statement intended to reject all choices:
Wrong meaning: “Either answer is correct” when both are wrong.
Better: “Neither answer is correct.”
After an already negative verb, neither usually creates a nonstandard double negative in edited English:
Nonstandard: “I don’t want neither one.”
Better: “I don’t want either one.”
Alternative: “I want neither one.”
Avoid mixing the pairs:
Awkward: “Either Maya nor Leo will call.”
Better: “Either Maya or Leo will call.”
Awkward: “Neither Maya or Leo called.”
Better: “Neither Maya nor Leo called.”
Maintain parallel structure:
Awkward: “She either enjoys hiking or to swim.”
Better: “She enjoys either hiking or swimming.”
Negative agreement requires inversion:
Wrong: “Neither I do.”
Correct: “Neither do I.”
Common Mistakes
1. Using neither after a negative verb
Incorrect: “She didn’t choose neither dress.”
Correct: “She didn’t choose either dress.”
2. Pairing neither with or
Incorrect: “Neither Sam or Mia attended.”
Correct: “Neither Sam nor Mia attended.”
3. Pairing either with nor
Incorrect: “Either call nor text me.”
Correct: “Either call or text me.”
4. Using a plural noun directly after either or neither
Incorrect: “Either answers may work.”
Correct: “Either answer may work.”
Also correct: “Either of the answers may work.”
5. Choosing automatic plural agreement
Less safe in formal prose: “Neither of the files are opening.”
Safer: “Neither of the files is opening.”
6. Ignoring the nearer subject
“Neither Jordan nor the managers were available.”
“Neither the managers nor Jordan was available.”
The verb commonly agrees with the nearer subject. Recast the sentence if it sounds awkward.
7. Breaking parallel structure
Incorrect: “She likes either hiking or to swim.”
Correct: “She likes either hiking or swimming.”
8. Assuming either always means only one
“Trees stood on either side of the road” usually means trees stood on both sides.
9. Treating me either and me neither as equal
Use “Me neither” informally or “Neither do I” in careful speech and writing.
10. Adding an unnecessary comma
Incorrect: “Choose either tea, or coffee.”
Correct: “Choose either tea or coffee.”
Everyday Examples
Choices and Scheduling
“Either appointment time works for me.”
“Neither appointment time fits my schedule.”
“We can meet either before lunch or after work.”
“Neither Monday nor Tuesday is available.”
Travel and Directions
“Either route will take us downtown.”
“Neither road is open.”
“There were bike lanes on either side of the street.”
“Neither of the buses goes to the airport.”
School and Work
“Either topic would make a strong presentation.”
“Neither answer explains the result.”
“Either the managers or Jordan is presenting.”
“Neither Jordan nor the managers were available.”
Shopping and Technology
“Either payment method will work.”
“Neither payment method includes a fee.”
“I didn’t receive either message.”
“Neither of the files is opening.”
Conversation and Agreement
“I don’t like either color.”
“Neither do I.”
“Would you like tea or coffee?”
“Neither, thanks.”
“Which entrance should I use?”
“Either.”
Dictionary-Style Word Details
Both words have two accepted initial-vowel pronunciations in American English. Pronunciation does not change their meaning.
Verb
Either: Not commonly used as a verb. Do not invent forms such as “eithered.”
Neither: Not commonly used as a verb and has no standard verb pattern.
Noun
Either: Standalone either normally functions as a pronoun or fused determiner-head, not an ordinary noun. The compound either-or may function nominally.
Neither: Standalone neither is normally a pronoun, determiner, conjunction-related form, or negative agreement form rather than a conventional noun.
Synonyms
Either: Sense-matched alternatives include one or the other, any one of the alternatives, each in “either side,” and also in negative-final use.
Neither: Alternatives include not either, not one and not the other, none of the stated alternatives, and also not in negative agreement.
Example Sentences
- Either:
- “Either answer may be accepted.”
- “Either will work.”
“You can either call or email.”
“I didn’t agree either.”
“Either of these seats is available.”
“There were doors at either end.”
- Neither:
- “Neither answer is complete.”
- “Neither works.”
- “Neither Mia nor Noah complained.”
“Neither of the proposals was approved.”
“I wasn’t invited.” “Neither was I.”
Word History
Either: The word has Middle English and Old English ancestry connected with alternatives and, historically, with each or both of two.
Neither: The word also has Middle English and Old English ancestry and developed as a negative alternative form related to “not either.”
Phrases Containing
Either:
- either…or
- either one
- either way
- either side
- either end
- not…either
- either of
- an either-or choice
Neither:
- neither…nor
- neither one
- neither of
- neither do I
- me neither
- neither here nor there
- neither fish nor fowl
- neither one nor the other
FAQs
What Is the Main Difference Between Either and Neither?
Either leaves at least one alternative available. Neither excludes the stated alternatives.
“Either option works.”
“Neither option works.”
Is It Either…Or or Neither…Nor?
Use either…or for alternatives and neither…nor to reject them.
“Either Maya or Leo will call.”
“Neither Maya nor Leo called.”
Should I Say “Me Either” or “Me Neither”?
After a negative statement, Me neither is the common informal reply. Neither do I is the fuller form.
“I don’t like it.”
“Me neither.”
Is Neither Singular or Plural?
Neither is usually singular when it is the subject in careful prose:
“Neither answer is correct.”
Plural agreement is common informally after neither of, but “Neither of the answers is correct” remains the safest edited pattern.
Can Either Mean Both?
In some structures, yes. “Trees stood on either side of the road” normally means trees were on both sides. In “Either option is fine,” both options are acceptable, although one may eventually be chosen.
Can Either and Neither Refer to More Than Two Things?
Traditionally, both are closely associated with two alternatives. Modern usage sometimes extends them to larger sets. When clarity matters, any, none, or a more explicit phrase may be better.
Conclusion
Use either when at least one alternative remains available or when adding agreement to a negative statement. Use neither when all stated alternatives are excluded.
Remember the standard pairs:
“Either answer may be correct.”
“Neither answer is correct.”
“I don’t accept either answer.”
A useful rule is: either leaves a choice; neither rejects the choices. Then check the sentence for negative verbs, paired structure, and agreement.
