both either neither的區別

both, either, neither屬於不定代詞,它們的適用範圍都是限於兩者之間。

(1)both指”兩者都”, 是對兩者的肯定,修飾複數名詞,如:

Both his father and mother are here. 他們的父母都在這兒.

Both of them are good teachers. 他們兩個都是好老師.

They both skate well. 他們兩個都很會滑冰.

The children were both too young. 這兩個孩子都很年輕.

My parents have both been invited. 我的父母都被邀請了.

(2)either表示”兩者中任何一個”, 可以指代或修飾單數名詞,做主語時,謂語動詞用單數形式,還可以和or搭配,如:

Either book is OK. 兩本書都可以.

There is a path on either side of the road. 路的兩邊各有一條小道.

(3)neither表示”兩者都不”,是對兩者的否定,反義詞是both, neither可以和nor搭配.如:

Neither answer is right. 兩個答案都不對.

Neither of my parents has ever read the book. 我父母都沒讀過這本書.

需要注意的是: either…or…(要麼…要麼…),neither…nor…(既不…也不…)結構做主語時,謂語動詞要與or或nor後面的成分在人稱和數上保持一致,也就是我們常說的主謂一致就近原則.如:

Either you or I am right. = Either I or you are right. 要麼我對,要麼你對.

Neither he nor we have been to NY. = Neither we nor he has been to NY. 他和我們都沒去過紐約.