Unit 38:

Grammar

Both, either, neither, so, nor

both

both + noun + and + noun

both + adjective + and + adjective

Use

Example

Helpful hints

To emphasise that

each things is true

Both Adam and Vicky said Colin was

very kind.

Simon is both rude and unkind.

We sometimes use of with both. We

always use this when it comes

before a pronoun.



I used to be good friends with

Lisa and Mike, but I’ve had an

argument with both of them.

To say the same

thing about two

things

My sister and I were both shocked by

what you said.

Jack and Jill both know lots of jokes.

either

either + noun + or + noun

either + adjective + or + adjective

either + verb + or + verb

Use

Example

Helpful hints

To talk about choice

between two things

I think I’ll buy a Valentine’s card with

either a puppy or a kitten on it.

I’m not sure how Tom will react –

he’ll be either happy or shocked!

You can either tell him how you feel

or hope he notices.

We sometimes use of with either.

We always use this when it comes

before a pronoun.



I really like Robert and Martin –

I’ll go out with either of them!

neither

neither + noun + nor + noun

neither + adjective + nor + adjective

neither + verb + nor + verb

Use

Example

Helpful hints

To emphasise that

each of two negative

things is true

I’ve got neither the time nor the

energy to take up a new hobby at the

moment.

What you said to Lucy was neither

true nor fair.

We sometimes use of with neither.

We always use this when it comes

before a pronoun.



Neither of us found Jackson’s

joke funny.

so, nor

so + do/ have/ be/ modal + subject

nor + do/ have/ be/ modal + subject

Use

Example

Helpful hints

To add more

Lisa is really unkind, and so is

You can also use these structures on

1