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Both…and, either…or and neither…nor are used to talk about two things or people. In this lesson, we’ll learn how to use them correctly.

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Exercise 1

Read the questions and choose the answer that’s true for you.

  1. Do you drink tea or coffee in the morning? a) I drink both tea and coffee. 2/2 b) I drink either tea or coffee. 1/2 c) I drink neither tea nor coffee. 0/2
  1. Do people in Canada speak English or French? a) They speak both English and French. 2/2 b) They speak either English or French. I’m not sure which one. 1/2 c) They speak neither English nor French. I think they speak German. 0/2
  1. Do you want some pasta salad or fruit salad? a) I want both. 2/2 b) Either. It doesn’t matter. 1/2 c. I want neither. I’m not hungry. 0/2
  1. If I gave you my car, would you be happy or suspicious? a) I would be both happy and suspicious. 2/2 b) I would be either happy or suspicious. I’m not sure. 1/2 c) I would be neither happy nor suspicious. I wouldn’t care. 0/2
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Theory part 1

Download this explanation in PDF here: link

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Exercise 2

Complete the sentences. Use and, or, nor.

  1. We don’t have much money left. We can afford either the guitar … the ukulele. You can’t have both.
  1. I want to eat neither the pasta salad … the fruit salad. I’m stuffed.
  1. Either you do it … I will.
  1. Both me … my sisters graduated from Freiburg University.
  1. You should take either the umbrella … the jacket. It might rain later.
  1. Neither my mum … my dad thinks it’s a good idea.
  1. Both Britain… France agree on the treaty.
  1. I know nothing about sports. I played neither hockey … basketball when I was a student.
  1. We think you’re a perfect candidate. You’re both experienced … knowledgeable.
  1. We can either go by bus … train.
Check the answers
  1. or
  1. nor
  1. or
  1. and
  1. or
  1. nor
  1. and
  1. nor
  1. and
  1. or
 
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Let’s elaborate on the second rule called Proximity Rule. If the second noun is singular, use a singular verb. If the second noun is plural, use a plural verb. This rule works both for either and neither. - Either Ann or John has the keys. NOT have - Neither Miranda nor I like you. NOT likes Both always refers to two things or people so it’s always plural. - Both Ann and John know the way. NOT knows

Exercise 3

Complete the sentences using the correct verb forms.

  1. Either John or Emma … (know) the answer.
  1. Neither the cat nor the dog … (have) a home.
  1. Either the teacher or the students … (buy) tickets.
  1. Both Jessica and John … (exercise) regularly to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  1. Either the kids or the grandma … (get) the apples.
  1. Neither I nor my friends … (want) to go to the cinema today.
  1. Both the amateurs cooks and the chef … (use) our recipes.
  1. Either Jack or Will … (be) an estate agent.
  1. Neither the queen nor the king … (pay) taxes.
Check the answers
  1. knows
  1. has
  1. buy
  1. exercise
  1. gets
  1. want
  1. use
  1. is
  1. pays

Exercise 4

Complete sentences. Use both…and, either…or, neither…nor. Each example will be about two things or people. I’ll write 0/2 if the character is talking about neither of them, 1/2 if it’s about one of them or 2/2 if it’s about both.

A. "You remember what mom used to say? "… wash that neck … plant potatoes." Yeah, I never thought it was funny either.” (1/2)

C. "So the house was completely surrounded within minutes of your arrival." "All four sides." "And … you … any other officer saw anyone go into or come out of that house." (0/2)

E "No, no, no. Look at me! I will say the price now and you will … say yes … no. Do you understand?” (1/2)

G "Friends hug. All right. Please tell Cristina thank you from … me … Ellen. (2/2)

I "… you … the two boys are in any way affected. But I'm afraid there must be no further physical relation between you and your husband.” (0/2)

K "So, Earl Ragnar, I come to you as you desired. … dressed … undressed, … hungry … full, … alone … yet in company. Do I pass the test?" "I owe you an apology” (0/2)

M "Two tablespoons into each muffin case. You can… use fancy ones like this … like a cupcake ones.” (1/2)

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B. "I couldn't be more delighted. Vortex's paymasters have been arrested, and China has expressed its gratitude to … Britain … the Service. (2/2)

D. "Sometimes old ways are the best." "Annie may have a serious condition which could be fatal to … her … the baby." (2/2)

F "Women of this country learnt long ago. Those without swords can still die upon them. I fear … death … pain." "What do you fear my lady?" "A cage” (0/2)

H "So, everything worked out great. I was sure you were going to … show up three hours late … not at all." "Guess what, I'm not like every other man you know.” (1/2)

J "I'd certainly like to know why it's so all-fired important for you two to see the file on Captain Tuttle." "Because … the major … I remember ever having seen him, and that strikes us as very strange." (0/2)

L "All right which dress (should I pick)? You can say …” “Oh God, ….!” (0/2)

F.R.I.E.N.D.S || Phoebe: She's Like The Daughter She Never Had. Listen #shorts #friends #funny
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F.R.I.E.N.D.S || Phoebe: She's Like The Daughter She Never Had. Listen #shorts #friends #funny
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F.R.I.E.N.D.S || Phoebe: She's Like The Daughter She Never Had. Listen #shorts #friends #funny
 

Exercise 5

Find mistakes in the following sentences. Some sentences are correct.

  1. They don’t speak both Italian and Spanish.
  1. Either she or the children knows how to bake the cookies.
  1. Neither Monday nor Tuesday works for me, I’m afraid.
  1. Either Jack or his friends is bringing the cake.
  1. Could you call both the parents and the teachers to tell them the news?
  1. The parents weren’t both happy and excited about this trip.
  1. I don’t neither smoke nor drink.
Check the answers
  1. They speak neither Italian nor Spanish. (Both shouldn’t be used in negative sentences.)
  1. Either she or the children know how to bake the cookies. (If one noun is plural, the verb is plural too. Children is a plural noun.)
  1. correct
  1. Either Jack or his friends are bringing the cake.
  1. correct
  1. The parents were neither happy nor excited about this trip.
  1. I neither smoke nor drink.
 
 
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Exercise 6

Complete sentences so that they’re true about you. Use both…and, either…or, neither…nor

  1. I … smoke … drink at parties.
  1. I take … painkillers … drink tea when my stomach’s upset.
  1. I usually … sightsee … chill on the beach when I’m on holiday.
  1. At the weekends, I … sleep longer … binge-watch my favourite TV series.
  1. When I see a massive dog, I feel … excited … a bit scared.
  1. At Christmas I … eat a lot … work out.
  1. When I visit my family, we speak … English … Spanish.