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	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use either A or B to choose one of two	📌 使用“要么 A 要么 B”来在两个备选项中选择一个	You can either call me or text me.	✅ 你可以要么给我打电话，要么给我发短信。
Use neither A nor B to reject both	📌 使用“既不 A 也不 B”来拒绝这两个备选项	He speaks neither French nor Spanish.	✅ 他既不说法语也不说西班牙语。
Keep A and B parallel in structure	📌 保持 A 与 B 在结构上的并列	She is either at home or at work.	✅ 她要么在家，要么在工作。

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	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Either as a pronoun usually takes singular verb	📌 作为代词时，Either 通常搭配单数动词	Either is fine for me.	✅ 任一对我来说都可以。
Neither as a pronoun usually takes singular verb	📌 作为代词时，Neither 通常搭配单数动词	Neither was available yesterday.	✅ 昨天都不可用。
Informal plural agreement can occur after of plus plural noun	📌 在 of 加复数名词之后，非正式的复数一致也可见	Neither of the players were ready.	✅ 我们中的任意一人都能开车。

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	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Either of plus plural noun refers to one of two	📌 由“Either of + 复数名词”指代两者中的一个	Either of these routes works.	✅ 这两条路线中的任意一条都可行。
Either of us means one of the two people	📌 由“Either of us”表示两个人中的一个	Either of us is able to drive.	✅ 我们中的任意一人都能开车。

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	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Neither of plus plural noun means zero of two	📌 neither of + 复数名词表示两者中的零个	Neither of the answers is correct.	✅ 这两个答案都不正确。
Neither of them refers to two people already known	📌 Neither of them 指代已知的两个人	Neither of them was invited.	✅ 他们中没有一个被邀请。

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	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Either plus singular noun means one of two	📌 Either + 单数名词表示两者中的一个	Either option is acceptable.	✅ 任一选项都是可接受的。
Neither plus singular noun rejects both	📌 Neither + 单数名词拒绝两者	Neither candidate has enough support.	✅ 没有一个候选人得到足够支持。

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	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Do not add an extra not to neither in standard English	📌 在标准英语中不要再给 neither 加一个额外的 not	Neither answer is correct.	✅ 没有一个答案是正确的。
Use not either when replying to a negative statement	📌 回复否定陈述时使用 not either	I do not like it either.	✅ 我也不喜欢它。

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	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Either can introduce options at the start	📌 Either 可以在开头引出选项	Either we leave now or we miss the train.	✅ 要么我们现在离开，要么我们错过火车。
Either can modify a verb phrase	📌 Either 可以修饰动词短语	You can either wait here or come with us.	✅ 你可以要么在这里等着，要么和我们一起走。
Neither is most common with nor and parallel options	📌 Neither 最常与 nor 搭配，并且两部分要并列	Neither the manager nor the staff agreed.	✅ 经理和员工都不同意。

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	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Verb agreement often follows the closest subject	📌 动词一致性常跟随最近的主语	Either the teachers or the principal is attending.	✅ 任一人（教师或校长）将出席。
Verb agreement can flip with order changes	📌 顺序改变时动词一致性也会改变	Either the principal or the teachers are attending.	✅ 要么校长要么教师们在出席。