neither
gb/nˈiðɚ/ us/nˈiðɚ/
A2
English
~ 2700
sem ... sem, se ... se, egyik sem, sem
A2
1
sem ... sem
A2
se ... se
A2
Usage pattern:
neither [A] nor [B]
Neither the manager nor the assistant was available.
Sem a vezető, sem az asszisztens nem volt elérhető.
I want neither coffee nor tea right now.
Most sem kávét, sem teát nem kérek.
She neither smiled nor spoke during the meeting.
The solution is neither simple nor quick.
Learner examples
I like neither cats nor dogs.
Sem a macskákat, sem a kutyákat nem szeretem.
He speaks neither English nor French.
Sem angolul, sem franciául nem beszél.
We have neither time nor money.
This room is neither big nor small.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'neither' and 'either' in negative sentences. 'Neither' is used when both options are negative, while 'either' is used with a negative verb to mean 'not one or the other'.
Meaning
Links two negative options
Collocations
neither here nor there
|neither fish nor fowl
|neither one nor the other
Synonyms
nor (Used after a negative statement to introduce another negative idea; less often used at the start of a sentence.)
Antonyms
either (Used for positive or possible alternatives rather than negative ones.)
Themes
grammar
|logic
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that two things are not true or do not happen.
Used to connect two or more negative alternatives, meaning that not one and not the other is true.
A2
2
egyik sem
A2
Usage pattern:
neither of [plural noun/pronoun]
Neither of the answers was correct.
A két válasz közül egyik sem volt helyes.
Neither of them wanted to leave early.
Egyikük sem akart korán elmenni.
I spoke to both drivers, but neither was responsible.
Learner examples
Neither of my friends can come.
A két barátom közül egyik sem tud eljönni.
Neither of us is ready.
Egyikünk sem áll készen.
Neither of the shirts fits me.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'neither' with more than two items; in that case, 'none' is correct.
Meaning
Not one of two items
Collocations
neither of them
|neither of us
|neither of the options
Synonyms
none ('None' can refer to more than two, while 'neither' is only for two.)
Antonyms
both ('Both' means the two are included, opposite to 'neither' which excludes both.)
Themes
grammar
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that not one of two people or things is chosen or involved.
Refers to not one and not the other of two people or things.
B1
3
sem
A2
Usage pattern:
[negative clause], and neither [auxiliary/verb] [subject]
I don't like spinach, and neither does my brother.
Nem szeretem a spenótot, és a testvérem sem.
She hasn't called, and neither have I.
Nem telefonált, és én sem.
He can't swim, and neither can his sister.
Learner examples
I don't eat meat, and neither does she.
Nem eszem húst, és ő sem.
We can't go, and neither can they.
Nem tudunk menni, és ők sem.
He doesn't play football, and neither do I.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget subject-verb agreement when using 'neither' in this way.
Meaning
Also not true
Collocations
and neither do I
|and neither can he
|and neither will we
Synonyms
nor ('Nor' can be used similarly but often sounds more formal or literary.)
Antonyms
too ('Too' is used in positive sentences for addition, opposite to 'neither' in negatives.)
Themes
grammar
|conversation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that something else is also not true, after a negative sentence.
Used after a negative statement to add that another thing is also not true.
Grammar
Dictionary form
neither
IPA
GB/nˈiðɚ/
US/nˈiðɚ/
Syllables & stress
neither (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (neither)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: neither
- Plural: neithers
Word family
Expressions
neither fish nor fowl
1/nˈiðɚ fˈɪʃ nˈɔɹ fˈaʊl/
idiom
Not fitting a category
Not clearly belonging to one group or type.
Examples
- The new device is neither fish nor fowl—it's hard to describe what it is.
- His style is neither fish nor fowl; it's unlike anything else.
neither one thing nor the other
1/nˈiðɚ wˈʌn θˈɪŋ nˈɔɹ ðə ˈʌðɚ/
fixed phrase
Not clearly one or another
Not clearly belonging to any group or type.
Examples
- This movie is neither one thing nor the other—it's part comedy, part drama, but not fully either.
- Her answer was neither one thing nor the other; it was confusing.
neither here nor there
1/nˈiðɚ hˈɪɹ nˈɔɹ ðˈɛɹ/
idiom
Irrelevant to the topic
Not important or related to what is being talked about.
Examples
- His past mistakes are neither here nor there now.
- Whether he was late or not is neither here nor there; we need to focus on the solution.
- Whether she likes it is neither here nor there.
- Her personal life is neither here nor there in this discussion.