Both and Neither

Both means "one and the other"

We use both.......and......... to emphasize a combination of two nouns, etc.

Examples

a. Both Remy and Amanda are successful women.
b. Both Chan and Chang can speak English.
c. Both windows are closed.
d. Both hotels are very good.
e. Both San Diego and New York are very beautiful cities.


Neither means 'not one and not the other'. It is used in positive structure but the meaning is negative.


a. Neither players played well.
b. Neither of the girls wanted to go to the game.
c. Neither of the hotels was expensive.
d. Neither of Lilly's parents wants to walk around.

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Not Only But Also Rules

We use "not only but also" to give more information.

Most people use "both...and" and "not only...but also..." in the same way and they tend to exchange them without making any necessary changes in the subject verb agreement though it's wrong.

Subject – Verb Agreement

Whether to use a singular verb or a plural one depends on the second part (but...also / as well). See subject verb agreement in general.

For Example:

Not only John but also Peter ---- come to the meeting.
A) have   B) has

As "Peter" is singular, we need to use a singular verb, so the answer is "has".

Pay attention to the sentences below to understand the difference clearly.

Not only proteins but also vitamins are essential for small children.
Note that the second part "vitamins" is plural.

Not only proteins but also vitamin C is essential for small children.
Note that the second part "vitamin C" is singular.

Attention!

Both proteins and vitamin C are essential for small children.
Don't confuse "Both...and" with "Not only...but also" since it is always used in plural form.

Not Only...But Also Inversion

Inversion refers to an irregular sentence order and is used to emphasize the event usually beginning with a negative. 

She not only apologized but also sent me a card.
Not only did she apologize but (also) sent me a card.

Not only do I enjoy spending time with him, but I also feel safe with him.

Note:

We can use “as well” instead of “also”, however, we use it at the end of the sentence.

This place not only depressed me but made me want to go home as well.

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Either-or Netheir-nor Usage

Either.....or

We use either....or to indicate that there are two possibilities/alternatives. It is also implied that only one of the two will happen but not both.

You either pay me or I will sue you.
(Pay me and no suing happens)
(If no pay, then suing happens)

Examples


a. Either come with me or stay home.
b. Either do your homework or go to bed.
c. You may either watch TV or listen to music.
d. We will either go fishing or camping.
e. The journalist will have an interview either with the president or the prime minister.


Neither.....nor


Neither ... nor is the negative form of either ... or ... . If singular subject follows both neither and or the verb may be in the singular or plural form.

Neither Jeff nor Choi is going to help us.
Neither Jeff nor Choi are going to help us.


In spoken language, the plural form of the verb is more usual.

a. I was neither tired nor sleepy.
b. Neither my dad nor my mom wears fashionable clothes.
c. Neither Henry nor Clodia likes medicine.
d. Neither lions nor wolves eat grass.
e. Neither Mr. Fisher nor Mr. Huff attended the meeting.


BOTH / EITHER / NEITHER
We can use these words in noun phrases. We use them when we are talking about exactly two (not
one and not more than two). Both is plural (Both girls are married); either and neither are singular
(Neither of them has children).


There were cars parked on both sides of the road.
I have two sons. Both of them are engineers.
There was no space to park on either side of the road.
I’ve got two cars, but I don’t really like either of them.
Neither side of the street was lit. It was very dark.
Neither of my two sons is married yet.

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