neither
Use Neither in a sentence
ðər, ˈnaɪ- conjunction
1.
not either, as of persons or things specified (usually followed by nor ): Neither John nor Betty is at home.
2.
nor; nor yet; no more: Bob can't go, and neither can I. If she doesn't want it, neither do I.
adjective
3.
not either; not the one or the other: Neither statement is true.
pronoun
4.
not either; not one person or the other; not one thing or the other: Neither of the suggestions will do. Neither is to be trusted.
Origin:
1150–1200; Middle English, equivalent to ne not + either; replacing Middle English nawther, Old English nāwther, nāhwæther (nā not, no1 + hwæther which of two; see whether)
1150–1200; Middle English, equivalent to ne not + either; replacing Middle English nawther, Old English nāwther, nāhwæther (nā not, no1 + hwæther which of two; see whether)
Usage note
As an adjective or pronoun meaning “not either,” neither is usually followed by a singular verb and referred to by a singular personal pronoun: Neither lawyer prepares her own briefs. Neither performs his duties for reward. When neither is followed by a prepositional phrase with a plural object, there has been, ever since the 17th century, a tendency, especially in speech and less formal writing, to use a plural verb and personal pronoun: Neither of the guards were at their stations. In edited writing, however, singular verbs and pronouns are more common in such constructions: Neither of the guards was at his station.
As a correlative conjunction, neither is almost always followed by nor, not or: Neither the liberals nor the conservatives had originally supported the winner. Subjects connected by neither … nor take singular verbs and pronouns when both subjects are singular (Neither Diane nor Nicole has her own apartment), plural when both are plural: Neither the Yankees nor the Dodgers got much help from their bull pens that year. Usage guides commonly say that when a singular and a plural subject are joined by these correlative conjunctions, the noun or pronoun nearer the verb should determine the number of the verb: Neither the mayor nor the council members have yielded on the issue. Neither the council members nor the mayor has yielded on the issue. Practice in this matter varies, however, and often the presence of one plural, no matter what its position, results in a plural verb.
In edited writing the construction following neither is parallel to the one following nor: The great days of American political oratory are neither dead nor waning (not neither are dead nor waning). This sale sacrifices neither quality nor availability (not This sale neither sacrifices quality nor availability).
Although some usage guides say that neither may introduce a series of no more than two, it often is used to introduce a series of three or more: The head of that department is neither skillful nor well-prepared nor honest. See also either.
As an adjective or pronoun meaning “not either,” neither is usually followed by a singular verb and referred to by a singular personal pronoun: Neither lawyer prepares her own briefs. Neither performs his duties for reward. When neither is followed by a prepositional phrase with a plural object, there has been, ever since the 17th century, a tendency, especially in speech and less formal writing, to use a plural verb and personal pronoun: Neither of the guards were at their stations. In edited writing, however, singular verbs and pronouns are more common in such constructions: Neither of the guards was at his station.
As a correlative conjunction, neither is almost always followed by nor, not or: Neither the liberals nor the conservatives had originally supported the winner. Subjects connected by neither … nor take singular verbs and pronouns when both subjects are singular (Neither Diane nor Nicole has her own apartment), plural when both are plural: Neither the Yankees nor the Dodgers got much help from their bull pens that year. Usage guides commonly say that when a singular and a plural subject are joined by these correlative conjunctions, the noun or pronoun nearer the verb should determine the number of the verb: Neither the mayor nor the council members have yielded on the issue. Neither the council members nor the mayor has yielded on the issue. Practice in this matter varies, however, and often the presence of one plural, no matter what its position, results in a plural verb.
In edited writing the construction following neither is parallel to the one following nor: The great days of American political oratory are neither dead nor waning (not neither are dead nor waning). This sale sacrifices neither quality nor availability (not This sale neither sacrifices quality nor availability).
Although some usage guides say that neither may introduce a series of no more than two, it often is used to introduce a series of three or more: The head of that department is neither skillful nor well-prepared nor honest. See also either.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To neither
Collins
World English Dictionary
neither (ˈnaɪðə, ˈniːðə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —determiner | |
| 1. | a. not one nor the other (of two); not either: neither foot is swollen |
| b. (as pronoun): neither can win | |
| —conj | |
| 2. | (coordinating) |
| a. ( | |
| b. another word for nor | |
| —adv | |
| 3. | not standard (sentence modifier) another word for either |
| usage A verb following a compound subject that uses neither… should be in the singular if both subjects are in the singular: neither Jack nor John has done the work | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Neither
is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
In my view, neither approach is worthy of your attention or money yet, but it is an interesting push into new territory.
Neither you, nor anyone else has presented sufficient evidence to justify this expense.
Nuclear power is neither affordable, safe or practical in solving our energy problems.
Neither bill applies to privately-owned computers attached to the campus network in dorm rooms.
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