neither
gb/nˈiðɚ/ us/nˈiðɚ/
A2
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
conjunction
A2
relation
1
Links two negative options
Used to say that two things are not true or do not happen.
Usage pattern:
neither [A] nor [B]
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'.
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.)
Collocations
neither here nor there
|neither fish nor fowl
|neither one nor the other
Themes
grammar
|logic
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Neither the manager nor the assistant was available.
- I want neither coffee nor tea right now.
- She neither smiled nor spoke during the meeting.
- The solution is neither simple nor quick.
Learner examples
- I like neither cats nor dogs.
- He speaks neither English nor French.
- We have neither time nor money.
- This room is neither big nor small.
pronoun
A2
relation
2
Not one of two items
Used to say that not one of two people or things is chosen or involved.
Usage pattern:
neither of [plural noun/pronoun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'neither' with more than two items; in that case, 'none' is correct.
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.)
Collocations
neither of them
|neither of us
|neither of the options
Themes
grammar
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Neither of the answers was correct.
- Neither of them wanted to leave early.
- I spoke to both drivers, but neither was responsible.
Learner examples
- Neither of my friends can come.
- Neither of us is ready.
- Neither of the shirts fits me.
adverb
B1
relation
3
Also not true
Used to say that something else is also not true, after a negative sentence.
Usage pattern:
[negative clause], and neither [auxiliary/verb] [subject]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget subject-verb agreement when using 'neither' in this way.
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.)
Collocations
and neither do I
|and neither can he
|and neither will we
Themes
grammar
|conversation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I don't like spinach, and neither does my brother.
- She hasn't called, and neither have I.
- He can't swim, and neither can his sister.
Learner examples
- I don't eat meat, and neither does she.
- We can't go, and neither can they.
- He doesn't play football, and neither do I.
Grammar
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.