Either means one or the other of two, whichever; neither means not one and not the other. Neither already contains the negative, so the verb with it has no not: Neither answer is correct. In a negative sentence, either means also: I don't eat meat either.
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either + singular noun; either of + the/these + plural noun; not + verb + either; neither + singular noun; neither of + plural noun; Neither + do/can/am + subject
- We can meet on Tuesday or Thursday; either day works for me.
- Neither of my flatmates cooks, so we order pizza far too often.
- I haven't seen the new series either, so let's watch it together on Friday.
What changed
First versionI don't like neither of these jackets.
RevisionI don't like either of these jackets.
In standard English a sentence has only one negative: either don't + either, or neither without don't (I like neither of them sounds more formal). Don't together with neither makes a double negative. So don't stayed, and neither was changed to either.
In a short reply agreeing with a negative statement, the choice depends on whether there's already a not. With not, use either: I can't swim. — I can't either. Without not, use neither: Neither can I, or the conversational Me neither. Too isn't used in negatives: I can't too is a mistake.
Your turn
— I didn't understand the teacher's explanation. — I didn't ___. Shall we ask her again?
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either — The reply already has the negative didn't, so it needs either, meaning also not. Neither contains its own not, and together with didn't it would make a double negative; without didn't, Neither did I would work.
You're offered a choice of two films, two cafés or two days to meet. Write that neither option works for you and explain why.
Neither film sounds good to me: I've already seen the first one, and I don't like horror.
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