by R. S. Karunaratne

'Both, either' and 'neither'

We use 'both, either' and 'neither' to talk about two people or things.

Both

Two burly men were sitting on either side of me.

'Both' means 'one and the other.' It takes a plural noun.
A: Do you go to office on Saturdays and Sundays?
B: No. I'm free on both days.
Both children are bright students.
A: Shall we revise our lessons on Thursday and Friday?
B: Sorry, I am busy on both days.
Both sisters sat the examination.
I had to use both hands to carry the parcel.
She bought two saris, both are very expensive.
Did you hurt both hands playing cricket?
My parents work at the National Hospital. Both are doctors.
How did you lose both earrings?
Police barricaded both ends of the lane.

We can use 'both of' before 'the, my, your, our, his, her' and 'their.' However, we often omit the word 'of' or 'of the.'
Both (of the) children are missing.
Both (the) children are naughty.
Both my parents are living.
Both your sisters are graduates.
Both our children are engineers.
Both his students passed the examination.
Both her pens are missing.
Both their grandparents died some years ago.

We always use 'both of' before 'us, you' and 'them.'
Both of us received our appointment letters on the same day.
Both of you must resit the examination.
Both of them are brilliant students.

Either
'Either' means 'one or the other.' It has a singular noun.
A: I have two pens. Which one do you want?
B: Either one is OK.
There are two rooms. You can occupy either room.
Either shirt will look good on you. Why don't you buy one?

As an adverb, 'either' can be used in negative sentences instead of 'also.'
I don't like swimming and my brother doesn't either.
A: I haven't been to India.
B: I haven't either.
We had delicious food at a new restaurant and it's not very expensive either.

We use 'either' when there is a choice between two possibilities.

I had to use both hands to carry the parcel

Either of you will be ideal for the job.
A: Do you prefer tea to coffee?
B: I don't like either. Give me a cool drink.
A: Would you like the metal washbasin or the ceramic one?
B: Either will do.
You can go to Colombo by train or bus. Either way it'll take one hour.
Either you take it leave it.
Two burly men were sitting on either side of me.

Neither

'Neither' means 'not either, not one and not the other.'
Two students sat the examination, but neither of them passed.
He has got two mobile phones, but neither works properly.
A: I have two cute puppies. Which one would you choose?
B: Neither. I don't like puppies.
The director did not attend the meeting and neither was his Secretary.

 

Match words and meanings

Here's an exciting way to enrich your vocabulary. Match the words in column A with their meanings in column B and check your answers with the key. The first has been done for you.

[Column A]

Q 1. demanding
... 2. demarcate
... 3. demean
... 4. demeanour
... 5. demented
... 6. dementia
... 7. demerit
... 8. demigod
... 9. demilitarise
... 10. demise
... 11. demist
... 12. demobilise
... 13. democracy
... 14. democrat
... 15. democratic
... 16. demolish
... 17. demon
... 18. demoniacal
... 19. demonology
... 20. demonstrable
... 21. demonstrate
... 22. demoralise
... 23. demote
... 24. demur
... 25. demure

[Column B]

A. to cause someone to become less respected
B. a being who is partly human and partly a god
C. the belief in freedom and equality between people
D. to show
E. to express disagreement
F. unable to think or act clearly
G. to make someone feel less confident
H. to lower someone in rank
I. quiet and well behaved
J. able to be proved
K. someone who believes in democracy
L. the loss of memory
M. to completely destroy a building
N. death
O. wild and evil
P. the study of demons
Q. needing a lot of time, attention or energy
R. a way of looking and behaving
S. to move military forces from an area
T. to release someone from the armed forces
U. an evil spirit
V. based on the principles of democracy
W. to remove the mist
X. a fault or disadvantage Y. to show the limits of something

Key:

2. Y 3. A 4. R 5. F 6. L 7. X 8. B 9. S 10. N 11. W 12. T 13. C 14. K 15. V 16. M 17. U 18. O 19. P 20. J 21. D 22. G 23. H 24. E 25. I

Starters :

'One, ones' and 'a small one'

We do not use 'one' or 'ones' with uncountable nouns.
A: Here's the bottle of water you ordered.
B: No, that's a small one. I want a bigger one.
A: If you want bigger ones, please try the next shop.
B: Can't you send somebody there and get me a big one?

In the above short dialogue we have used 'one' and 'ones' to avoid repeating a noun.
Sometimes we omit 'one' or 'ones' in speech.
A: I want to buy a fountain pen.
B: Do you want this (one) or that (one)?
A: I don't like the ones in the showcase.
B: Can I show you another (one)?
A: I like those (ones) in that showcase.
B: Which (one) do you want?

More examples

I tried all the numbers, but each (one) was engaged.
Umbrellas are available in different colours. which (one) would you like?
The first question is the easiest (one).
At first don't try to answer the most difficult one.
My house is the one on the hill.
This novel is not so good as the one I read earlier.
Throw these old shoes away and buy some new ones.

A small one
I'm looking for a mobile phone, but I can't find a small one.
When we wanted a cab we saw one parked at a distance.
If you want a bottle of water, I can get you a small one.
I bought a big computer, but I wanted to buy a small one.
She sold all the stamps keeping a small one in the album.

We use 'one' or 'some' instead of 'a.'
I need one (a) pencil.
Can you find some (a) person to do my accounts?

Activity
Fill in the blanks with 'one, ones, some, it' or 'them.' Check your answers with the key.
1. The plates are beautiful. Each ........... is hand-painted.
2. I have to fill in a form to obtain a passport, but I haven't got ..........
3. I have read all these novels. I must buy some new ..........
4. A. These paintings are beautiful.
B: Did you see this .......... ?
5. I need a coat for the wedding. I may have to hire ..........
6. These shirts are useless. Can't you give me a good ...........?
7. A: I don't know whether I need any money for the trip.
B: But you had better take ...........
8. My mobile phone is not working. My son dropped ....... on the floor.
9. I had the keys a little while ago, but I can't find ........... now.
10. I haven't got any CDs, but my sister has got ...........

Key:

one 2. one 3. ones 4. one 5. one 6. one 7. some 8. it 9. them 10. some

Quiz on idioms

An idiom is a special kind of phrase. It is a group of words which have a different meaning when used together from the one it would have if the meaning of each word were taken individually. Tick the meaning of each idiom printed in bold and check your answers with the key.

1. If two things are two sides of the same coin ...
(a) they are closely related to each other
(b) they are different from each other
(c) they are valuable

2. If someone is as cold as ice ...
(a) they are indifferent
(b) they are friendly
(c) they are unfriendly

3. If someone comes in from the cold ...
(a) they become unpopular
(b) they become popular after a period of unpopularity
(c) they become popular

4. If something leaves you cold ...
(a) it does not excite you
(b) you resent it
(c) you are confused

5. If you are left out in the cold ...
(a) you'll be the centre of attraction
(b) others will ignore you
(c) others will support you

6. If you get hot under the collar ...
(a) you get annoyed
(b) you will be pleased
(c) you will be confused

7. If you nail your colours to the mast ...
(a) you will be defeated
(b) you will win a competition easily
(c) you will express your opinions clearly

8. If you're sailing under false colours ...
(a) you are sailing in a stolen ship
(b) you are praising others
(c) you are deceiving others

9. If someone shows their true colours ...
(a) they are not nice as thought they were
(b) they are ready for a fight
(c) you will not understand them

10. If you pass an examination with flying colours ...
(a) you manage to pass the examination
(b) you are unsuccessful
(c) you are very successful

Key:

1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (a) 5. (b) 6. (a) 7. (c) 8. (c) 9. (a) 10. (c)