Basic Details
Word: Neither
Part of Speech: Determiner, pronoun, conjunction
Meaning: Not one and not the other of two people or things. It is often paired with nor: Neither Ravi nor Meena came.
Antonyms: both
How to Spell Neither
Syllables: nei - ther
Tricky part: It is spelt ei, breaking the i before e rule. Niether is the usual mistake.
Watch out for: niether, nither, neithar
Memory tip: Neither is just n + either. If you can spell either, add an n in front.
Idioms and Phrases
- neither here nor there: not important or not related to the point. Example: "Whether the bag is blue or black is neither here nor there; we need it by Monday."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Neither of my brothers likes bitter gourd.
Example 2: The shop had neither bread nor milk left by evening.
Example 3: I can't swim, and neither can my cousin.
Fun Fact
Neither can be said as NEE-ther or NYE-ther, and both are correct in British and Indian English.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Niether the captain nor the coach could explain why the team played so badly in the second half of the match.
a) Niether
b) captain
c) explain
d) second
Show answer
a) Niether. This word follows either with an n in front, so it is ei: neither.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
I like rnetieh tea nor coffee; I prefer a glass of lassi.
a) thither
b) nether
c) neither
d) either
Show answer
c) neither. With nor later in the sentence, the word must be neither, and it uses all seven letters.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. neither 2. seperate 3. rythm 4. consience
a) a regular repeated pattern of sounds or beats
b) not one and not the other of two
c) to divide or keep apart
d) the inner sense of right and wrong
Show answer
b) not one and not the other of two. Neither is spelt right; the others should be rhythm, separate and conscience.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Choose the correct sentence.
a) Neither the bus or the train was late.
b) Neither the bus but the train was late.
c) Neither the bus nor the train was late.
d) Neither the bus and the train was late.
Show answer
c) Neither the bus nor the train was late.
2. 'Neither here nor there' describes something that is ____.
a) far away
b) in two places
c) lost
d) not important to the point
Show answer
d) not important to the point
