BOTH = BOTH (affirmative: "Both options are viable"). NEITHER = NEITHER of the two (negative: "Neither option works"). EITHER = ANY OF THE TWO (choice: "Either option works") OR negative reinforcement ("I don't like either" = I like neither). All three are only for exactly TWO elements.
BOTH: refers to TWO elements TOGETHER — asserts something about BOTH OF THEM. Always positive (never in negative clauses). Agreement: BOTH always takes a PLURAL verb (there are two). BOTH + OF + THE + plural noun: "Both of the candidates performed well." BOTH + THE + plural noun (without OF): "Both candidates performed well." BOTH + plural noun (no the): "Both candidates..." Only for TWO elements — for three or more: ALL. POSITION WITH PRONOUNS: "Both of them / both of us / both of you." POSITION IN SENTENCE: with simple verbs, BOTH goes after the auxiliary or first auxiliary: "They have both submitted their proposals." AMBIGUITY OF BOTH: "Both candidates did not pass the exam" = AMBIGUOUS (can mean "neither passed" or "not both passed"). To avoid ambiguity, use NEITHER or NOT BOTH specifically.
Both the chief operating officer and the head of strategy have indicated that they are broadly supportive of the proposed restructuring, which significantly increases the likelihood of it receiving full board approval.
The two shortlisted vendors have both submitted detailed technical proposals and have both confirmed their capacity to meet the implementation timeline required by the project steering committee.
We have reviewed both the financial projections and the underlying assumptions, and we are satisfied that both are consistent with the conservative growth scenario outlined in the three-year strategic plan.
NEITHER: refers to TWO elements — asserts that NEITHER of the two fulfills the condition. Always negative. Agreement: NEITHER + singular noun (formally) or plural (in modern informal English). "Neither option is acceptable" (singular = formal). "Neither of the options is/are acceptable." NEITHER OF = followed by THE + plural noun: "Neither of the two candidates was selected." NEITHER...NOR: correlative conjunction connecting two negatives: "Neither the budget nor the timeline was approved." EITHER: TWO DISTINCT USES: (1) POSITIVE — CHOICE (any one of the two, does not matter which): "You can submit it by email or by post — either method is acceptable." "Either candidate would be a strong choice." (2) NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT (in negative clauses = "either/neither, too"): "I don't like coffee." "I don't like it either." EITHER...OR: correlative conjunction of choice: "Either the proposal must be revised or a new one submitted." Agreement: EITHER (singular) — EITHER + singular noun. EITHER of the + plural noun + singular verb (formal).
Neither of the two funding proposals submitted by the regional offices met the minimum eligibility criteria specified in the grant guidelines, and both will need to be substantially revised before resubmission.
Either approach — a full acquisition or a strategic partnership — could ultimately deliver the market access and technological capabilities the group is looking for, and the board has not yet committed to either.
Neither the board chair nor the chief financial officer was available for comment at the time of publication, and the company declined to provide either a statement or a written response to the queries submitted.
Common mistake
THE MOST FREQUENT ERRORS: (1) USING BOTH WITH NEGATION: "Both candidates did not pass" = AMBIGUOUS. For "neither of the two," use NEITHER: "Neither candidate passed." (2) EITHER WITH NEGATION vs NEITHER: "I don't like either of them" = correct (EITHER in negative clause = neither). "I like neither of them" = correct. "I don't like neither of them" = DOUBLE NEGATIVE, incorrect in standard English. (3) AGREEMENT WITH NEITHER/EITHER: "Neither of the candidates were selected" (plural = informal/accepted). "Neither of the candidates was selected" (singular = formal). In formal English: NEITHER/EITHER OF + plural noun + SINGULAR verb. (4) BOTH FOR MORE THAN TWO ELEMENTS: "Both three candidates" = INCORRECT. For 3+: ALL three candidates. (5) NEITHER...NOR VERB AGREEMENT: the verb agrees with the nearest subject (proximity rule): "Neither the CEO nor the directors WERE present" (directors = plural -> were). "Neither the directors nor the CEO WAS present" (CEO = singular -> was).
Trick to remember it
TABLE OF THREE: BOTH = both (affirmative, BOTH TWO, plural). NEITHER = neither of the two (negative, singular verb formal). EITHER = any one of the two (positive, choice) OR negative reinforcement in negative clauses ("either/neither" = not...either). RULE OF TWO: both/neither/either are ONLY for exactly TWO elements. For 3+ = all/none/any. "Neither of the two" (two). "None of the three" (three or more). DOUBLE NEGATIVE: never "don't...neither" together. Use: "I don't like either" = correct. "I like neither" = correct. "I don't like neither" = INCORRECT (double negative).
Quick rule
BOTH = both (affirmative, plural). NEITHER = neither of the two (negative). EITHER = any one of the two (choice) OR negative reinforcement in negative clauses. Only for TWO elements (for 3+ = all/none/any). Formal: neither/either of + plural noun + SINGULAR verb. Never "don't...neither" (double negative). "I don't like either" = correct. "I like neither" = correct.
Did you know?
The NEITHER/EITHER/BOTH distinction for exactly two elements is a feature of English that many other languages do not have as explicitly. In Spanish, "ambos" = both, but "ninguno" and "cualquiera" are more versatile (can be used with more than two elements). Interestingly from a linguistic standpoint, English is MORE SPECIFIC than Spanish for duality: it has dedicated forms (both/neither/either) that only apply to TWO elements, while Spanish generally uses "ambos/ninguno/cualquiera" without that strict numerical restriction. This English specificity for the number TWO is a remnant of the Old English grammatical system, which had THREE numbers: singular (one), dual (two), and plural (three or more). Although the grammatical dual disappeared from English centuries ago, its legacy survives in the restriction of BOTH/NEITHER/EITHER to exactly two elements.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The committee evaluated _____ proposals submitted by the two shortlisted agencies and concluded that _____ fully met the technical specifications outlined in the invitation to tender.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The merger proposal has been referred to the competition authority, which means that _____ party may proceed with the transaction until the formal regulatory review has been completed and a decision issued.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
BOTH = both (affirmative, plural). NEITHER = neither of the two (negative). EITHER = any one of the two (choice) OR negative reinforcement in negative clauses. Only for TWO elements (for 3+ = all/none/any). Formal: neither/either of + plural noun + SINGULAR verb. Never "don't...neither" (double negative). "I don't like either" = correct. "I like neither" = correct.
THE MOST FREQUENT ERRORS: (1) USING BOTH WITH NEGATION: "Both candidates did not pass" = AMBIGUOUS. For "neither of the two," use NEITHER: "Neither candidate passed." (2) EITHER WITH NEGATION vs NEITHER: "I don't like either of them" = correct (EITHER in negative clause = neither). "I like neither of them" = correct. "I don't like neither of them" = DOUBLE NEGATIVE, incorrect in standard English. (3) AGREEMENT WITH NEITHER/EITHER: "Neither of the candidates were selected" (plural = informal/accepted). "Neither of the candidates was selected" (singular = formal). In formal English: NEITHER/EITHER OF + plural noun + SINGULAR verb. (4) BOTH FOR MORE THAN TWO ELEMENTS: "Both three candidates" = INCORRECT. For 3+: ALL three candidates. (5) NEITHER...NOR VERB AGREEMENT: the verb agrees with the nearest subject (proximity rule): "Neither the CEO nor the directors WERE present" (directors = plural -> were). "Neither the directors nor the CEO WAS present" (CEO = singular -> was).
TABLE OF THREE: BOTH = both (affirmative, BOTH TWO, plural). NEITHER = neither of the two (negative, singular verb formal). EITHER = any one of the two (positive, choice) OR negative reinforcement in negative clauses ("either/neither" = not...either). RULE OF TWO: both/neither/either are ONLY for exactly TWO elements. For 3+ = all/none/any. "Neither of the two" (two). "None of the three" (three or more). DOUBLE NEGATIVE: never "don't...neither" together. Use: "I don't like either" = correct. "I like neither" = correct. "I don't like neither" = INCORRECT (double negative).
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy