A/ We use both/ neither/ either for two things. You can use these words with a noun (both books, neither book etc.).
For example, you are talking about going out to eat this evening. There are two restaurants where you can go. You say:
• Both restaurants are very good, (not 'the both restaurants')
• Neither restaurant is expensive.
• We can go to either restaurant. I don't mind, (either = one or the other, it doesn't matter which one)
B/ Both of... / neither of... / either of...
When you use both/ neither/ either + of, you always need the... / these/ those... / my/ your/ his/
Tom's... (etc.). You cannot say 'both of restaurants'. You have to say 'both of the restaurants', 'both of those restaurants' etc.:
• Both of these restaurants are very good.
• Neither of the restaurants we went to was (or were) expensive.
• I haven't been to either of those restaurants. (= I haven't been to one or the other) You don't need of after both. So you can say:
• Both my parents are from London, or Both of my parents...
You can use both of / neither of / either of + us/you/them:
• (talking to two people) Can either of you speak Spanish?
• I asked two people the way to the station but neither of them knew.
You must say 'both of before us/ you/ them (of is necessary):
• Both of us were very tired, (not 'Both us were...')
After neither of... a singular or a plural verb is possible:
• Neither of the children wants (or want) to go to bed.
C/ You can also use both/ neither/ either alone:
• I couldn't decide which of the two shirts to buy. I liked both, (or I liked both of them.)
• 'Is your friend British or American?' 'Neither. She's Australian.'
• 'Do you want tea or coffee?' 'Either. I don't mind.'
D/ You can say:
Both... and...: Both Ann and Tom were late.
I was both tired and hungry when I arrived home.
Neither... nor...: Neither Liz nor Robin came to the party.
She said she would contact me but she neither wrote nor phoned.
Either... or...: I'm not sure where he's from. He's either Spanish or Italian.
Either you apologise or I'll never speak to you again.
