08 Both / either / neither

Question 1

The police set up barriers at both ends of the street.

If you’re ambidextrous, you can write with either hand.

Answer 1

both = the one and the other
either = the one or the other
neither = not the one or the other

Question 2

Both prisoners escaped.
Neither of the prisoners escaped.
All the prisoners escaped.
None of the prisoners escaped.

Answer 2

(two) Positive.
(two) Negative.
(three or more) Positive.
(three or more) Negative.

Question 3

Both decks play tapes.
Both the decks play tapes.
Both of the decks play tapes.
They both play tapes.

Answer 3

Patterns with both are the same as patterns with all.

But NOT the both decks

Question 4

Two prisoners got away, but police caught them both.

Two prisoners got away, but police caught both of them.

Answer 4

Patterns with both are the same as patterns with all.

Question 5

You can use either deck.
You can use either of the decks.
Neither of our cars is/are very economical to run.
Neither car is very economical to run.

Answer 5

We use either and neither before a noun or in the of-pattern.

Question 6

I don’t like either of those pictures.

I like neither of those pictures.

Answer 6

In positions other than the subject, neither is more emphatic and rather more
formal than not either.

Question 7

Neither of those pictures are any good.

Answer 7

Either or both cannot come before a negative.

NOT Either/Both of those pictures aren’t any good.

Question 8

I have two brothers. Both of them are engineers.
I had two maps of the city, but I cannot find either of them.
There are two textbooks for the course. Neither of them is expensive.

Answer 8

both = the one and the other
either = the one or the other
neither = not the one or the other

Question 9

Either of the alternatives is acceptable.

Neither of the alternatives is acceptable.

Answer 9

Affirmative meaning

Negative meaning

Question 10

Either hotel will offer you its best room.

Neither hotel will offer you its best room.

Answer 10

Affirmative meaning

Negative meaning

Question 11

You may borrow either of the books.
You may not borrow either of the books.
You may borrow neither of the books.

Answer 11

Affirmative meaning
Negative meaning
Negative meaning

Question 12

I might give the message to either boy.
I might not give the message to either boy.
I might give the message to neither boy.

Answer 12

Affirmative meaning
Negative meaning
Negative meaning