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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #4826: Both / both of / neither / neither of / either / either
    > Other English exercises on the same topic: Agreement/Disagreement:Both, so do I, neither do I [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Agreement Tags - Both and its use - So / Neither? - Either...or/ Neither...nor/ Not ... either. - Subject/verb inversions - Both/ both of - Too-Also-As well-Either-Not either - Yes/ No/ So do I/ Neither do I: Short answers.
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    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.

     


    Complete the sentences with both/ neither/ either/ both of/ neither of/ either of.

     

     





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    English exercise "Both / both of / neither / neither of / either / either" created by felin with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from felin]
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    1. 'Do you want tea or coffee? ' , I really don’t mind.'

    2. 'What day is it today - the 18th or the 19th?' , It’s the 20th,'

    3. 'There are two sandwiches here; which one shall I take? / 'Oh, take : the sandwich with ham or the sandwich with cheese.'

    4. I asked two people the way to the station but them could help me.

    5. 'When shall I phone you, morning or afternoon?' , I’ll be in all day.'

    6. 'Where’s Kate? Is she at work or at home?' , she's away on holiday.'

    7. To get to the town centre you can go along the footpath by the river or you can go along the road. You can go way.

    8. I tried to call George twice but times he was out.

    9. Tom's parents is English. His father is Polish and his mother is Italian.

    10. I was invited to two parties last week but I didn't go to them

    11. Sarah and I play tennis together regularly but us can play very well.

    12. I tried two bookshops for the book I wanted but them had it.

    13. There were two windows in the room. It was very warm, so I opened them










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