Either/Or, Neither/Nor: Decisions, Decisions! - The Grammar-Us Blog - Grammar-Us

You say “tomato” and I say “tomAHto.” We won’t go into the pronunciation of the subjects of this week’s post. It depends on where you were reared as to whether you say “E-ther” or “I-ther,” “NE-ther” or “NI-ther.” Instead, we’ll discuss these words in the context of when they are used and how to use them correctly.

• Use EITHER as a “choice” word. You are stating two alternatives. Example: If you are ill, either stay home in bed or go to the doctor. The correct word to connect “either” with the second choice is OR.

• Use NEITHER as an “inclusive” word. There is no choice to be made here. Instead, you are lumping two things or actions together. Example: Neither staying in bed nor going to the doctor will make me feel any better. The correct connecting word to use with “neither” is NOR. This is easy to remember if you note that both “neither” and “nor” begin with the letter “n.”  

Please note that “either” and “neither” should be used when there are TWO alternatives, things or actions. Generally speaking, using them when more than two are present is discouraged, but not strictly incorrect. A great example of this is that old Postal Service motto, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

What verb form should you use in sentences containing “either” or “neither”? This can be especially confusing if one of the choices, things, or actions is singular and the other is plural. Here are two example sentences:

Either Suzie or the boys are knocking on the door.

Neither the possums nor the fox is getting into the hen house.

The rule is that the choice that follows the connecting word (“or” or “nor”) determines the verb form to use. In the first example sentence, the choice following “or” is “the boys” – plural. Therefore, the correct verb should also be plural. In the second example sentence, “nor” is followed by “the fox,” which is singular; therefore, the singular form of the verb is used.

BONUS TIP:

FURTHER and FARTHER are two other words that cause considerable confusion. They are almost (but not quite) interchangeable, but there IS a rule about when to use each:

Use FARTHER in reference to a physical distance (miles, feet, inches, etc.)
Use FURTHER in reference to a non-physical distance (time, effort, etc.)

Here are some examples:

We should stop for gasoline here, because the next town is farther than 50 miles away.

She stated further that there would be no class on Tuesday.

When in doubt about whether you are referring to physical or non-physical distance, opt for “further,” and odds are that no one will think any less of you!