"Either" refers to one of two (any one of the two); "neither" refers to none of the two. Either is positive or neutral; neither is negative.
Determiner/pronoun: one or the other of two. (1) DETERMINER: "Either option works" = any one of the two options. (2) PRONOUN: "Either of them is fine" = any one of the two. (3) CONJUNCTION: "Either...or": "Either come early or call ahead." (4) ADVERB in negatives: "I don't like it either" = me neither (agreeing with a negative).
Either Tuesday or Wednesday works for the meeting — just let me know which you prefer.
I have read both proposals and either of them could work — they address the same core problem differently.
"I did not enjoy the conference." — "I did not enjoy it either."
Determiner/pronoun: not one and not the other (none of two). (1) DETERMINER: "Neither option is acceptable" = not any of the two. (2) PRONOUN: "Neither of them agreed" = not one of them agreed. (3) CONJUNCTION: "Neither...nor": "She neither called nor emailed." (4) ADVERB: "I don't like it, and neither does she" = I do not like it, and she does not either.
Neither candidate fully addressed the main concern during the debate — both avoided the question.
She checked both the email and the calendar, but neither showed the meeting had been scheduled.
"I have not been to that restaurant." — "Neither have I — perhaps we should try it together."
Common mistake
The agreement error: "Neither of them are ready" — in formal English, "neither" is singular: "Neither of them IS ready." In everyday speech, "neither of them are" is very common and widely accepted, but in formal English singular agreement is correct. Second error: "I don't like it neither" = INCORRECT (double negative). With an already negative sentence (don't), use EITHER: "I don't like it either." NEITHER is used in affirmative sentences with negative meaning: "Neither do I." / "Neither of them came."
Trick to remember it
EITHER = ONE OF TWO (any one, both as possibilities). Positive or neutral. NEITHER = NONE OF TWO (not one, not the other). Negative. Trick for the agreement adverb: someone says something POSITIVE and you agree? "So do I" or "Me too." Someone says something NEGATIVE and you agree? "Neither do I" or "Me neither" or "I don't either." "I love pizza" -> "So do I." "I don't like pizza" -> "Neither do I" / "I don't either." Never: "I don't like it neither" = double negative = incorrect in standard English.
Quick rule
Either = one of the two, any one of the two (positive/neutral). Neither = none of the two (negative). In negative sentences, "either" not "neither" at the end: "I don't either."
Did you know?
In British English, "neither" and "either" are pronounced differently than in American English. British: "neither" = /ˈnaɪðə/ (NIGH-ther), "either" = /ˈaɪðə/ (EYE-ther). American: "neither" = /ˈniːðər/ (NEE-ther), "either" = /ˈiːðər/ (EE-ther). The British pronunciation with the /aɪ/ diphthong (as in "I") is the historically older form. The American pronunciation with the long /iː/ vowel (as in "see") was promoted in the 19th century by American spelling reformers. Both are correct in their respective contexts.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
_____ of the two proposals was accepted — the committee rejected both and asked for a complete revision.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"I have never been to New Zealand." — "_____ have I — it is definitely on my travel list."
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Either = one of the two, any one of the two (positive/neutral). Neither = none of the two (negative). In negative sentences, "either" not "neither" at the end: "I don't either."
The agreement error: "Neither of them are ready" — in formal English, "neither" is singular: "Neither of them IS ready." In everyday speech, "neither of them are" is very common and widely accepted, but in formal English singular agreement is correct. Second error: "I don't like it neither" = INCORRECT (double negative). With an already negative sentence (don't), use EITHER: "I don't like it either." NEITHER is used in affirmative sentences with negative meaning: "Neither do I." / "Neither of them came."
EITHER = ONE OF TWO (any one, both as possibilities). Positive or neutral. NEITHER = NONE OF TWO (not one, not the other). Negative. Trick for the agreement adverb: someone says something POSITIVE and you agree? "So do I" or "Me too." Someone says something NEGATIVE and you agree? "Neither do I" or "Me neither" or "I don't either." "I love pizza" -> "So do I." "I don't like pizza" -> "Neither do I" / "I don't either." Never: "I don't like it neither" = double negative = incorrect in standard English.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy