UNIT 83 Both/both of, neither/neither of, either/either of a) We use both, neither and either when we are talking about two things. You can use these words with a noun: - 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) - I didn't like either restaurant. (not 'the one or the other') b) You can also use both neither/either with of .... When you use these words with of you always need the/these/those/my/your/his etc. You cannot say 'both of restaurants'. You have to say 'both of the restaurants', 'both of these restaurants' etc.: - Both of these restaurants are very good. - Neither of the restaurants we went to was (or were) expensive. - We can go to either of those restaurants. I don't mind. With both you can leave out of. So you can say: both my parents or both of my parents c) After both of/neither of/either of you can also use us/you/them: - Can either of you speak Spanish? - I wanted Tom and Ann to come but neither of them wanted to. You must say 'both of' before us/you/them: - Both of us were very tired. (not 'Both us...) d) After neither of ... you can use a singular or a plural verb: - Neither of the children wants (or want) to go to bed. - Neither of us is (or are) married. e) You can say both ... and ..., neither ... nor ... and either ... or .... Study these examples: - Both Tom and Ann were late. - They were both tired and hungry. - Neither Tom nor Ann came to the party. - He said he would contact me but he neither wrote nor phoned. - I'm not sure where he is from. He's either Spanish or Italian. - Either you apologise or I'll never speak to you again. f) You can also use both/neither/either alone: - 'Is he British or American?' 'Neither. He's Australian'. - 'Do you want tea or coffee?' 'Either. I don't mind.' - I couldn't decide which one to choose. I liked both. For I don't either and neither do I see Unit 51c. UNIT 83 Exercises 83.1 Complete these sentences with both neither/either. Sometimes you need of Examples: There are two windows in my room. It was very warm so I had both of them open. 'Do you want tea or coffee?' 'Either ... or ... I really don't mind.' 1. After the accident ... drivers got out and started shouting at each other. 2. It wasn't a very good football match ... team played well. 3. A: Which of the two films did you prefer? The first one or the second one? B: Actually I didn't like ... them. 4. You can go along the footpath by the river or ... you can go along the main road. You can go ... way. 5. ... these pullovers are very nice. I don't know which one to buy. 6. ... my parents is English. My father is Polish and my mother is Italian. 7. 'Do you mind which sandwich I take?' 'No, take ...' 8. 'Is today the 18th or the 19th?' '... It's the 20th.' 9. Tom and I hadn't eaten foe a long time, so ... us were very hungry. 10. When the boat started to sink, we were really frightened because ... us could swim. 11. A: Did you go to Scotland or Ireland for your holidays? B: We went to ... A week in Scotland and a week in Ireland: 83.2 This time you have to make sentences with both ... and ..., neither ... nor ... and either... or ... Examples: Tom was late. So was Ann. Both Tom and Ann were late. He didn't write. He didn't telephone. He neither wrote nor telephoned. 1. The hotel wasn't clean. And it wasn't comfortable. 2. It was a very boring film. It was very long too. 3. Is that man's name Richard? Or is it Robert? It's one of the two. 4. I haven't got the time to go on holiday. And I haven't got the money. 5. We can leave today or we can leave tomorrow whichever you prefer. 6. He gave up his job because he needed a change. Also because the pay was low. 7. George doesn't smoke. And he doesn't drink. 8. The front of the house needs painting. The back needs painting too.