The English words either and neither can cause some problems for native and non-native speakers of English. Sometimes you can use either one and sometimes you have to choose either one or the other, but neither one is very difficult.

Either… Or:

Either... or is used to offer a choice between two possibilities:

- Either Mike or Lisa will be there.

- Either you leave me alone or I will call the police.

- We should bring either coffee or tea.

- You can either help us or go to your room.

Either can also be followed by (one) of + group of two:

- Either of us could do it

- Either one of us could do it

- Either of you should know

- Either one of you should know

Not… either… or denies both possibilities:

- I don’t think either Mike or Lisa will be there.

- He doesn’t speak either English or French.

Not… either is used after a negative statement.

- I don’t speak French.

- You don’t either.

- He isn’t ready to go.

- We aren’t either.

Neither… Nor:

Neither… nor is equivalent to not… either… or.

- Neither Mike nor Lisa will be there.

- He speaks neither English nor French.

- We brought neither coffee nor tea.

- I will neither help you nor go to my room.

Neither can also be followed by (one) of + group of two:

- Neither of them is ready.

- Neither one of them is ready.

- Neither of us has any money.

- Neither one of us has any money.

Neither is used like not… either.

- I don’t speak French.

- Neither do I.

- (informal): Me neither.

- He isn’t ready to go.

- Neither are we.

The Bottom Line:

Either means one, neither means none, and not either equals neither. Or goes with either and nor goes with neither.