EXPLANATION
We have already studied the function of neither and either. They are both used in negative agreement. That is, when we want to express our agreement to what somebody else has said, we use either (in the sentence) and neither (in the short phrase). For example:
A: I don't like oranges
B: I don't like oranges either / Neither do I
While either always goes with the verb in the negative form, neither goes with the verb in the positive form.
The agreement is only one possible function of these words. We can also use either when we are giving a list of things that we don't do/take/give/, etc. For example:
A: I don't like oranges and I don't like bananas either
In our last example, there is just one person using either, expressing that there is a list of things he/she doesn't like.
Another important function of these words (neither, nor, either, or) is that of alternating options in contrast to and. For example:
A1: I like oranges AND bananas.
A2: I like BOTH oranges AND bananas
B1: I don't like oranges NOR bananas
B2: I like NEITHER oranges NOR bananas
1. List in the NEGATIVE: neither(or verb in the negative) - nor
That correlation is used to express that we DON'T like/do/take something. For example:
B1: I don't like oranges NOR bananas
B2: I like NEITHER oranges NOR bananas
(B3: I don't like oranges OR bananas) INFORMAL
We could say that neither - nor are the negative forms or both - and.
2. Alternation: either - or
Sometimes, we don't want to negate 2 elements, we just want to offer an alternation. From a list, we want one thing, but not the two of them (or the three, four, etc.). For example:
A1: Jane wants to paint EITHER a portrait OR a landscape (one or another, but not the two of them)
A2: Jane wants to paint a portrait OR a landscape (omitting either)
*** TO SUM UP: neither-nor is the negative for of and; either-or is used to express an alternation
*** AND REMEMBER:
If your element (the word(s) that follow neither, either) is singular, then the verb needs to be singular; if one nor both or your elements is plural, then your verb needs to be plural. For example:
A: Neither James nor Dave is having a party
B: Either the acrobats or the dancer are doing the tricks
*** MORE TO REMEMBER:
When we want to negate 2 verbs, we can use NOR, but the verb that goes after NOR is reversed. For example:
He didn't open the door NOR did he answer the phone
PRACTICE
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