What does neither mean?
Neither is a word used to say that not one of two people or things applies, or that no acceptable option remains. It commonly appears as a determiner before a plural noun, as in neither candidate, and as a pronoun after an earlier reference, as in neither was willing to admit the error. In negative constructions, it is often paired with nor: neither the manager nor the employees supported the proposal. The word can also express refusal or indifference, as in “I wanted neither,” meaning that the speaker did not want either of two things. Neither is especially associated with two alternatives, although neither of can sometimes refer to a larger set in careful usage. Its precise meaning depends on grammatical context, but the central idea is exclusion of all the alternatives under discussion.
A determiner used before a plural noun or pronoun to indicate that neither of two people or things applies.
"Neither answer was complete."
Neither of is followed by a plural noun or a pronoun in standard usage.
A pronoun referring to two people or things and indicating that neither one applies or is acceptable.
"The two proposals were incompatible, so the committee supported neither."
As a standalone pronoun, neither normally refers back to two previously mentioned alternatives.
An adverb indicating that neither of two actions, qualities, or options applies.
"He answered neither the question nor the accusation."
This sense is especially common in the neither...nor construction.
A conjunction joining two negative alternatives, usually in the pattern neither...nor.
"Neither the plan nor its proposed timetable was feasible."
The coordinating element nor typically follows neither and introduces the second negative alternative.
Neither has an unusual double life: it can stand alone, modify a noun, or connect two negative clauses with nor.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does neither come from?
The word comes from Old English næþer, meaning “neither of two,” and ultimately combines elements corresponding to “not” and “other.” It developed in Middle English as neither, with the vowel and consonant sounds shaped by the regular history of English. The related modern words nether and nethermost preserve the same older root, while nither is a less common historical or dialectal form.
How neither is actually used
Neither is most natural when exactly two alternatives are involved. In formal usage, neither of is followed by a plural noun or a pronoun such as them; neither of the reports is accurate and neither of them was available are common patterns. Neither can be used with nor to join two negative alternatives.
Easily confused with neither
Neither means that neither of two alternatives applies, while either identifies one of the two alternatives and can imply that at least one does.
Neither is normally used when there are two specific alternatives, whereas none can refer to an unrestricted group of people or things.