Either is used to talk about one of two choices. It can introduce two options, mean that both options are acceptable, or refer back to two things already mentioned. It often appears with “or” when you name the two alternatives.

Neither is used to say that zero of two choices is true or acceptable. It matches the idea “not this one and not that one,” and it often appears with “nor” when you list the two rejected alternatives. Use it when you are limiting the meaning to exactly two options.

Use “either A or B” to present two alternatives and choose one. Use “neither A nor B” to reject both alternatives. These patterns keep the grammar balanced, so A and B should match in form, such as two nouns, two verbs, or two full clauses.

Rule	Example
Use either A or B to choose one of two	You can either call me or text me.
Use neither A nor B to reject both	He speaks neither French nor Spanish.
Keep A and B parallel in structure	She is either at home or at work.

Either and neither can stand alone as pronouns to refer to two items already known in the conversation. As pronouns, they are commonly treated as singular in standard English, especially in careful writing. In informal speech, plural agreement may appear when the meaning feels plural, but singular is the safer default.

Rule	Example
Either as a pronoun usually takes singular verb	Either is fine for me.
Neither as a pronoun usually takes singular verb	Neither was available yesterday.
Informal plural agreement can occur after of plus plural noun	Neither of the players were ready.

Use “either of + plural noun or pronoun” to mean one of the two in a pair. In standard grammar, the verb is usually singular because the subject is “either.” This form is common when both options are already identified or limited to two.

Rule	Example
Either of plus plural noun refers to one of two	Either of these routes works.
Either of us means one of the two people	Either of us is able to drive.

Use “neither of + plural noun or pronoun” to mean zero of the two in a pair. In formal English, the verb is typically singular because “neither” is grammatically singular. In everyday conversation, plural verbs are common, but singular is more consistent for tests and formal writing.

Rule	Example
Neither of plus plural noun means zero of two	Neither of the answers is correct.
Neither of them refers to two people already known	Neither of them was invited.

Either and neither can come before a singular noun as determiners. “Either + singular noun” means one or the other, often with the sense that it does not matter which. “Neither + singular noun” means not one and not the other, referring to two specific possibilities.

Rule	Example
Either plus singular noun means one of two	Either option is acceptable.
Neither plus singular noun rejects both	Neither candidate has enough support.

Neither already contains a negative meaning, so it usually should not be combined with another negative word in standard English. Instead of adding “not,” you can use neither on its own or use “not either” depending on the structure. This helps keep the sentence clear and avoids double negatives in formal contexts.

Rule	Example
Do not add an extra not to neither in standard English	Neither answer is correct.
Use not either when replying to a negative statement	I do not like it either.

Either can appear in several positions with slightly different emphasis. Placed before the first option, it frames a two-choice structure. Placed before a verb phrase, it can emphasize that the choice applies to the action itself. Neither is less flexible and most often appears as “neither A nor B” or as a pronoun or determiner.

Rule	Example
Either can introduce options at the start	Either we leave now or we miss the train.
Either can modify a verb phrase	You can either wait here or come with us.
Neither is most common with nor and parallel options	Neither the manager nor the staff agreed.

With “either A or B” and “neither A nor B,” the verb often agrees with the noun closest to it, especially when A and B have different number or person. This is common in formal writing and helps the sentence sound natural. If possible, many writers rephrase to avoid awkward agreement when one option is singular and the other is plural.

Rule	Example
Verb agreement often follows the closest subject	Either the teachers or the principal is attending.
Verb agreement can flip with order changes	Either the principal or the teachers are attending.