1. Used as a Pronoun

When we use either + of or neither + of, either or neither being the singular subject in the sentence must be followed by a singular verb. EXAMPLE: Either of the boys is guilty of starting the fire. EXAMPLE: Neither of the two donkeys carries heavy loads. EXAMPLE: Either of them has stolen my chewing gum. EXAMPLE: Neither of them has the courage to talk to her. Either can mean the one OR the other of two persons or things. EXAMPLE: Give me either of them please. Neither is often used to start a sentence or reply to a question. EXAMPLE: Neither of the boys knows anything about her. EXAMPLE: "Which pizza do you want?" "Neither, Thank you." (There are only two pizzas.) When the verb is in the negative, we cannot use neither. We must use either. EXAMPLE: He doesn't want either of those balls. (NOT: He doesn't want neither of those balls.) Instead of using both ... followed by not ... we would use neither. EXAMPLE: We would not usually say, "Both of them don't know the answer." Instead, we would say "Neither of them knows the answer." We can use either or neither on its own. EXAMPLE: "Do you want coffee or tea?" "Either. It doesn't matter which one." EXAMPLE: "Which house do you have in mind?" "Neither. They are overpriced."