both / both of
neither / neither of
either / either of
For exactly two things · both…and · neither…nor · either…or — Complete Guide
both / both of
neither / neither of
either / either of
Pour exactement deux choses · both…and · neither…nor · either…or — Guide complet
Use both / neither / either for exactly two things. Master the paired conjunctions both…and, neither…nor, either…or, and learn when to switch to all / none / any for more than two.
Utilisez both / neither / either pour exactement deux choses. Maîtrisez both…and, neither…nor, either…or, et apprenez quand utiliser all / none / any pour plus de deux.
Both, neither, and either are used specifically for two things. Both = the two. Neither = not one and not the other. Either = one or the other (it doesn’t matter which). For more than two things, switch to all, none, any.
Both, neither et either s’utilisent spécifiquement pour deux choses. Both = les deux. Neither = ni l’un ni l’autre. Either = l’un ou l’autre. Pour plus de deux choses, utilisez all, none, any.
both / neither / either — For Two Things
both / neither / either — Pour Deux Choses
Imagine there are two restaurants:
Imaginez qu’il y a deux restaurants :
both = the two (positive)
both = les deux (positif)
neither = not one, not the other
neither = ni l’un ni l’autre
either = one or the other
either = l’un ou l’autre
both of / neither of / either of — With Specific Groups & Pronouns
both of / neither of / either of — Groupes Spécifiques & Pronoms
Use of before the / these / my / Tom’s etc., and before pronouns us / you / them.
Utilisez of avant the / these / my / Tom’s etc., et avant les pronoms us / you / them.
Neither of the restaurants we went to was expensive.
I haven’t been to either of those restaurants.
Can either of you speak Russian? (asking two people)
I asked two people, but neither of them knew.
Both of us were tired. (NOT “both us” — ‘of’ required before us/you/them)
both … and · neither … nor · either … or
both … and · neither … nor · either … or
| Pattern | Meaning | Example | Structure | Sens | Exemple |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| both … and … | the two / and | Both Chris and Paul were late. | les deux / et | Both Chris and Paul were late. | |
| neither … nor … | not one, not the other | Neither Chris nor Paul came. | ni l’un ni l’autre | Neither Chris nor Paul came. | |
| either … or … | one or the other | She’s either Spanish or Italian. | l’un ou l’autre | She’s either Spanish or Italian. |
Two Things vs More Than Two — The Critical Contrast
Deux Choses vs Plus de Deux — Le Contraste Essentiel
For exactly TWO → both/either/neither
Pour exactement DEUX → both/either/neither
For MANY things → all/any/none
Pour PLUSIEURS choses → all/any/none
Complete with both / neither / either
Complétez avec both / neither / either
Use of where necessary.
Utilisez of si nécessaire.
Complete with both…and / neither…nor / either…or
Complétez avec both…and / neither…nor / either…or
Frequently Asked Questions — both / neither / either
Questions fréquentes — both / neither / either
both = the two (positive). neither = not one and not the other. either = one or the other. In negative sentences, use either after a negative verb: I haven’t been to either restaurant.
both = les deux. neither = ni l’un ni l’autre. either = l’un ou l’autre.
Add ‘of’ before the/these/my/those etc. or pronouns us/you/them. ‘of’ is optional with ‘both’ before a noun: Both these restaurants = Both of these restaurants. Before pronouns, ‘of’ is always required: ✓ Both of us.
‘of’ est facultatif avec ‘both’ devant un nom. Mais devant les pronoms, ‘of’ est toujours obligatoire : ✓ Both of us.
Yes. ✓ Neither of them is at home. ✓ Neither of them are at home. Both are acceptable. ‘both’ always takes a plural verb: ✓ Both of them were late.
Oui, les deux sont acceptables. Note : ‘both’ prend toujours un verbe pluriel.
Either and neither are for exactly two things. Any and none are for more than two.
Either et neither = exactement deux choses. Any et none = plus de deux choses.
either…or: one or the other. both…and: the two are simultaneously true. neither…nor: neither applies.
either…or = l’un ou l’autre. both…and = les deux. neither…nor = aucun des deux.
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