Both / both of / neither / neither of / either / either

' Both / both of  /   neither / neither of /   either / either of '

A/ We use both/ neither/ either for two things. You can use these words with a noun (both books, neither book etc.).

For example, you are talking about going out to eat this evening. There are two restaurants where you can go. You say:

• Both restaurants are very good, (not 'the both restaurants')

• Neither restaurant is expensive.

• We can go to either restaurant. I don't mind, (either = one or the other, it doesn't matter which one)

B/ Both of... / neither of... / either of...

When you use both/ neither/ either + of, you always need the... / these/ those... / my/ your/ his/

Tom's... (etc.). You cannot say 'both of restaurants'. You have to say 'both of the restaurants', 'both of those restaurants' etc.:

• Both of these restaurants are very good.

• Neither of the restaurants we went to was (or were) expensive.

• I haven't been to either of those restaurants. (= I haven't been to one or the other) You don't need of after both. So you can say:

• Both my parents are from London,    or    Both of my parents...

You can use both of / neither of / either of + us/you/them:

• (talking to two people) Can either of you speak Spanish?

• I asked two people the way to the station but neither of them knew.

You must say 'both of before us/ you/ them (of is necessary):

• Both of us were very tired, (not 'Both us were...')

After neither of... a singular or a plural verb is possible:

• Neither of the children wants (or want) to go to bed.

C/ You can also use both/ neither/ either alone:

• I couldn't decide which of the two shirts to buy. I liked both, (or I liked both of them.)

• 'Is your friend British or American?'  'Neither. She's Australian.'

• 'Do you want tea or coffee?' 'Either. I don't mind.'

D/ You can say:

Both... and...:               Both Ann and Tom were late.                                         I was both tired and hungry when I arrived home.   Neither... nor...:            Neither Liz nor Robin came to the party.                                         She said she would contact me but she neither wrote nor phoned.   Either... or...:                I'm not sure where he's from. He's either Spanish or Italian.                                         Either you apologise or I'll never speak to you again.