Quantifiers

- both, either, neither

Both, either and neither

If we are talking about two people or things, we use the

quantifiers:
• both
• either
• neither
How do you pronounce
‘either’?

How do you pronounce

‘neither’?
Pronunciation
We commonly use two forms of pronunciation for both ‘either’
and ‘neither’.

Both forms of pronunciation are acceptable.

 Example
One supermarket Two supermarkets More than two supermarkets

The supermarket was closed. Both the supermarkets were All the supermarkets were closed.
closed.

The supermarket wasn’t open. Neither of the supermarkets was None of the supermarkets were
open. open.

I don’t think the supermarket was I don’t think either of the I don’t think any of the
open. supermarkets was open. supermarkets were open.

Note that nouns with both have a plural verb but nouns with either and neither have a singular verb.
 EXERCISE 1
Grammar reference: 'both', 'either', 'neither'
Complete the conversations with 'both', 'either' or 'neither'.
 Exercise 1
1. A: What shall we have for dinner – pasta or just a salad?
B: Can we have ? I'm really hungry.
Both

2. A: Do you want white wine or red?

Either
B: , thanks. Can I just have some water?

3. A: Would you like tea or coffee? Neither

B: . You choose.
 Exercise 1
4.
A: What's the quickest way to get to the town centre?
B: Bus or tram. way takes about twenty minutes. Both

5.
Either
A: Did you manage to contact Antonia?
B: No. I've called her at home and on her mobile but lines are busy.
Neither
6.
A: Is anything wrong? You look a bit fed up.
B: There are two photocopiers in this office and of them is working. It's ridiculous!
 Exercise 1
7.
A: Did you hear? Tom and Rebecca have broken up.
B: Well, that's sad but I'm not surprised. of them seemed very happy. Both

8.
Either
A: Do you teach at the university or are you a student?
B: ! I'm doing a doctorate but I teach English at weekends.
Neither
9. A: Which coat do you think I should buy – this blue one or the green one?
B: To be honest, I don't like of them. Have you tried the black?
Answers
Exercise 1
1. both
2. Neither
3. Either
4. Either
5. both
6. neither
7. Neither
8. Both
9. either
 EXERCISE 2
Grammar reference: 'both', 'either', 'neither'
Can you remember the conversations from the last activity?
Write the correct words.
 Exercise 2
1. A: What shall we have for dinner – pasta or just a salad?
B: C____ w____ h_____ b______ ? I'm really hungry.
Both

2. A: Do you want white wine or red?

Either
B: N______, t_______. C______ I j_____ h______ some water?

3. A: Would you like tea or coffee? Neither

B: E_______. Y____ c______.
 Exercise 2
4.
A: What's the quickest way to get to the town centre?
B: Bus or tram. E______ w___ t_____ a______ twenty minutes. Both

5.
Either
A: Did you manage to contact Antonia?
B: No. I've called her at home and on her mobile but b______ l_____ a____ b_____.
Neither
6.
A: Is anything wrong? You look a bit fed up.
B: There are two photocopiers in this office and n______ o__ th_____ i__ w_______. It's ridiculous!
 Exercise 2
7.
A: Did you hear? Tom and Rebecca have broken up.
B: Well, that’s s____ but I'm not s_______. N______ o_ th_____ s______ v____ h______. Both

8.
Either
A: Do you teach at the university or are you a student?
B: B_______! I’m d_____ a doctorate but I t_____ English at w_______.
Neither
9. A: Which coat do you think I should buy – this blue one or the green one?
B: T__ b__ h_______, I don't like e_______ o__ th_____. Have you tried the black?
Questions?