neither

Everyday

1. Neither means not this one and not that one, of two. If neither cat is black, both cats are another colour. tree →
2. «Neither ... nor» joins two things that are both not true: «neither tea nor milk». tree →
3. «Me neither» or «neither do I» means I also do not. tree →

In the lessons

In school maths: used in logic and sorting problems (Venn diagrams): things that are in neither group, outside both circles. In everyday talk: «Which one? — Neither!», «I don't like spinach. — Me neither». Phrases: «neither ... nor», «neither of them», «me neither», «neither here nor there» (not important).

Examples

• Neither Tom nor Ann has a red pen. tree →
• 5 pupils like neither tea nor milk. tree →
• Neither box holds more than 10 balls. tree →
• How many children play neither sport? tree →
• Neither of my brothers likes football. tree →
• «I can't swim.» «Me neither.» tree →
• In the Venn diagram, write the numbers in neither set outside the circles. tree →
• She was neither hungry nor tired. tree →

Note

Say «NYE-ther» or «NEE-ther» — both are right. «Neither» takes a singular verb: «neither box is full». Use with «nor», not «or». Opposite of «both»; «either» means one or the other. Maths: points to the part outside both groups: total − (in first or second). Trap: forgetting the people who are in both groups when finding «neither».

In Jewish tradition

In school maths: used in logic and sorting problems (Venn diagrams): things that are in neither group, outside both circles. In everyday talk: «Which one? — Neither!», «I don't like spinach. — Me neither». Phrases: «neither ... nor», «neither of them», «me neither», «neither here nor there» (not important).

Examples

• Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Torah DEU.5.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• neither shalt thou favour a poor man in his cause. (Torah EXO.23.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then I said unto you: 'Dread not, neither be afraid of them. (Torah DEU.1.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he said: 'Neither hath the LORD chosen this.' (Prophets 1SA.16.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• Behold, He that keepeth Israel doth neither slumber nor sleep. (Writings PSA.121.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• A brutish man knoweth not, neither doth a fool understand this. (Writings PSA.92.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Say «NYE-ther» or «NEE-ther» — both are right. «Neither» takes a singular verb: «neither box is full». Use with «nor», not «or». Opposite of «both»; «either» means one or the other. Maths: points to the part outside both groups: total − (in first or second). Trap: forgetting the people who are in both groups when finding «neither».

Early Modern English

Meaning

Used to say "not one nor the other"; also used to start a sentence with "not" and "nor" in the old way. tree →

Then and now

In the Torah "neither shalt thou" means "you shall not either", which is an old use of "neither" to begin a clause; today we would say "nor" or "you must not".

Examples

• Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Torah DEU.5.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• I can neither fly nor swim.” (Peter Pan) tree →
• neither shalt thou favour a poor man in his cause. (Torah EXO.23.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: not either; nor.