Both ... and/ Either ... or/ Neither ... nor/ Not only ... but also

I. Both A and B:

· A and B need to belong to the same word class (nouns, verbs, adjectives, …)

Example: That girl is both beautiful and talented.

She works as both a doctor and a singer.

· If A and B are Subjects, the verb is in plural.

Example: Both I and Jonathan speak French.

· Both of + plural Noun + plural Verb

Example: Both of the students are Canadians.

II. Either A or B:

· A and B need to belong to the same word class (nouns, verbs, adjectives, …)

Example: You can choose to buy either a skirt or a dress.

You either buy it at the shop or order it online.

3 options +: They can either go shopping, go skating or watch a movie.

· If A and B are Subjects, the verb agrees with the SECOND Subject.

Example: Either the wheels or the engine is broken.

· Either of + plural Noun + singular Verb

Example: Would you like tea or coffee? - Either of those is fine.

Does either of you fancy going to the cinema?

III. Neither A nor B:

Neither … nor … CAN NOT go with negative verbs.

· A and B need to belong to the same word class (nouns, verbs, adjectives, …)

Example: His jokes are neither funny nor polite.

= (His jokes aren’t either funny or polite.)

I can neither speak nor write in Italian.

= (I can’t either speak or write in Italian.)

3 options +: They neither review their lessons, do homework nor prepare the new words.

· If A and B are Subjects, the verb agrees with the SECOND Subject.

Example: Neither the students nor the teacher likes the principal.

· Neither of + plural Noun + singular Verb

Example: Neither of those people is alive.

IV. Not only A but also B:

· A and B need to belong to the same word class (nouns, verbs, adjectives, …)

Example: James is not only dumb but also crazy.

The kids not only love spaghetti but also love pizza.

My dad likes not only cheese but also tomato.

· If A and B are Subjects, the verb agrees with the SECOND Subject.

Example: Not only the children but also their mother shows love to the father.

· If Not only is used to begin a clause: Not only + Aux + S + V…

Example: Not only does she love cooking but she also likes travelling.

= Not only does she love cooking but also she likes travelling.

= She not only loves cooking but also likes travelling.

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Related posts:

So/Too/Either/Neither

Along with/ Accompanied by/ Together with/ As well as/ In addition to