UNIT 88. Both/both of neither/neither of either/either of

A. We use both/neither/either for two things. You can use these words with a noun (both books, neither book etc.)

For example, you are talking about going out to eat this evening. There are two restaurants where you can go. You say:

* Both restaurants are very good. (not 'the both restaurants')

* Neither restaurant is expensive.

* We can go to either restaurant. I don't mind. (either = one or the other, it doesn't matter which one)

B. Both of.../neither of.../either of...

When you use both/neither/either + of, you always need the.../these/those.../my/your/his/ Tom's... (etc.). You cannot say 'both of restaurants'. You have to say 'both of the restaurants', 'both of those restaurants' etc.:

* Both of these restaurants are very good.

* Neither of the restaurants we went to was (or were) expensive.

* I haven't been to either of those restaurants. (= I haven't been to one or the other)

You don't need of after both. So you can say:

* Both my parents are from London. or Both of my parents...

You can use both of/neither of/either of + us/you/them:

* (talking to two people) Can either of you speak Spanish?

* I asked two people the way to the station but neither of them knew.

You must say 'both of' before us/you/them (of is necessary):

* Both of us were very tired. (not 'Both us were...')

After neither of... a singular or a plural verb is possible:

* Neither of the children wants (or want) to go to bed.

C. You can also use both/neither/either alone:

* I couldn't decide which of the two shirts to buy. I liked both. (or I liked both of them.)

* 'Is your friend British or American?' 'Neither. She's Australian.'

* 'Do you want tea or coffee?' 'Either. I don't mind.'

D. You can say:

both... and...: * Both Ann and Tom were late.

* I was both tired and hungry when I arrived home.

neither... nor...: * Neither Liz nor Robin came to the party.

* She said she would contact me but she neither wrote nor phoned.

either... or...: * I'm not sure where he's from. He's either Spanish or Italian.

* Either you apologize or I'll never speak to you again.

E. Compare either/neither/both (two things) and any/none/all (more than two):

* There are two good hotels in the town.

You can stay at either of them.

* We tried two hotels. Neither of them had any rooms./Both of them were full.

* There are many good hotels in the town. You can stay at any of them.

* We tried a lot of hotels. None of them had any rooms./All of them were full.