» either http://wordconstructions.com.au/blog Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:30:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Either, neither… http://wordconstructions.com.au/blog/2009/06/either-neither/ http://wordconstructions.com.au/blog/2009/06/either-neither/#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:15:27 +0000 tashword http://wordconstructions.com.au/blog/?p=726 It is the use of either and neither (rather than the spelling) that people seem to have trouble with – I have just edited a 40 page document which repeatedly misused either/or.

either: an introduction of two alternatives separated by the word or
You can either buy or rent this property

neither: an introduction of two unavailable alternatives separated by the word nor
neither John nor Mary can run the meeting.

What is important to note is that both words refer to a choice of TWO options – if there is a list of choices, either/neither can’t be used.

wrong – You can choose either chocolate or vanilla or strawberry.
correct – You can chose either chocolate or strawberry.
correct – You can choose chocolate, vanilla or strawberry.

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