Either vs. Neither: What's the Difference?
Learn how either presents two possibilities while neither rejects both, including agreement, either-or and neither-nor, examples, a quiz, and FAQs.
Either refers to one or the other of two choices, or can mean each of two: either option works. Neither means not one and not the other: neither option works. Pair either with or and neither with nor. In formal agreement, either and neither used alone usually take singular verbs.
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At 10:15 a.m., a survey summary says “Either option received enough votes.” The result actually shows that both failed, so the sentence needs the negative word: “Neither option received enough votes.”
Either vs. Neither at a glance
| Word | Typical role | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| either | Determiner, pronoun, adverb, or conjunction | one or the other of two; each of two; also | Either route will take about twenty minutes. |
| neither | Determiner, pronoun, adverb, or conjunction | not one and not the other | Neither explanation matches the evidence. |
How to use either
Either presents alternatives or indicates that both individual options are possible. In a negative sentence, adverbial either means also: I did not receive it either. The correlative pair is either...or.
Either route will take about twenty minutes.
How to use neither
Neither rejects both of two choices. It already contains a negative meaning, so standard edited English avoids adding another negative. The correlative pair is neither...nor.
Neither explanation matches the evidence.
Rules that make the choice easier
Use either for a choice
Choose either when one option or the other is possible or acceptable.
Use neither to reject both
Choose neither when both options fail, are absent, or are untrue.
Match the pairs
Write either...or and neither...nor, keeping parallel grammatical structures after each conjunction.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Incorrect pairing: either tea nor coffee. Correct: either tea or coffee.
- Avoid double negatives such as I do not want neither option.
- Do not use neither when more than two items are the intended set unless style permits a broader informal use.
Quick practice
1. ___ answer is acceptable; choose one.
Answer: Either
2. ___ answer is correct.
Answer: Neither
3. Complete the pair: neither...___.
Answer: nor
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between either and neither?
Either presents one or both possibilities; neither rejects both.
Is it either or or either nor?
The correct pair is either...or.
Does neither take a singular verb?
When used alone in formal writing, neither usually takes a singular verb.
Can either mean also?
Yes, in negative statements such as “I did not see it either.”