Both, Either, and Neither: قاعدة الاثنين
both للاثنين مع بعض، و either لواحد منهم، و neither لولا واحد.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use these words only when talking about exactly two things to show addition, choice, or total rejection.
- Use `both` for two out of two (A + B). Example: 'I like both shirts.'
- Use `either` for one out of two (A or B). Example: 'Either day is fine.'
- Use `neither` for zero out of two (Not A and Not B). Example: 'Neither car works.'
نظرة عامة
neither خيار من الاتنين مناسب ليكم. دي المعضلة الثنائية المشهورة. في الإنجليزي، لما بنتعامل مع حاجتين بالظبط، عندنا مجموعة أدوات متخصصة من الكلمات: both و either و neither.all وأنت عندك بس اتنين صحاب، الناس حتفهكم بس حتبان كأنك نسيت إزاي تعد! الكلمات دي هي «الثلاثي الديناميكي» للأزواج؛ بيساعدوك تجمع الأشياء مع بعض، أو تعرض خيارات، أو ترفض الخيارات تماماً.كيف تعمل هذه القاعدة
all أو any أو none. بس بالنسبة لاتنين؟ both و either و neither هم ملوك الساحة.bothهي علامة «الزائد» (+). معناها «أ» و «ب» مع بعض. هي كلمة إيجابية بتستخدم لـ 100% من الزوج.eitherهي علامة «أو» (/). معناها «أ» أو «ب». الفكرة هنا هي الاختيار، أو إنك تقول مش فارق أي واحد تختار لأن الاتنين مقبولين.neitherهي علامة «الناقص» (-). معناها «مش أ» و «مش ب». هي كلمة سلبية بترفض الخيارين.
both books)، أو ضمائر (تيجي لوحدها، زي I like both)، أو حتى جزء من زوج أدوات ربط (زي neither... nor). هي زي «المطواة السويسرية» لجملك.Both of these songs are fire) وفي مشاوير Uber (زي:
Either car is fine, I just need to get home). لو حسيت إنك متلخبط، بس تخيل صندوقين؛
both يعني علامتين صح، either يعني علامة صح واحدة في صندوق واحد، و neither يعني علامتين X باللون الأحمر. بسيطة، مش كدة؟نمط التكوين
both: استخدمها مباشرة قبل اسم جمع (both friends) أو مع of قبل ضمير أو أداة تعريف (both of them, both of the apps). تقدر كمان تستخدم both... and عشان تربط بين حاجتين محددتين: I likebothpizzaandtacos.
either: استخدمها قبل اسم مفرد (either day is fine) أو مع of قبل اسم أو ضمير جمع (either of these movies). زوج الربط هو either... or: We caneithergo outorstay in.
neither: زي either بالظبط، استخدمها قبل اسم مفرد (neither phone works) أو مع of قبل اسم أو ضمير جمع (neither of my parents). زوج الربط هو neither... nor: Neitherthe rednorthe blue one fits me.
both دايماً بتاخد فعل جمع (Both are good). أما either و neither لما ييجي وراهم اسم مفرد، بياخدوا فعل مفرد (Neither phone is charged). ومع ذلك، لما تستخدم neither of... كتير من المتحدثين الأصليين بيستخدموا فعل جمع في الكلام غير الرسمي (Neither of them are coming)، رغم إن مدرس الإنجليزي الشديد بتاعك ممكن يصر على المفرد
is.
I want both).
متى نستخدمها
either is fine لو مش فارقة معاك.both!«. ولو اكتشفت إنك نسيت محفظتك، ممكن تقول بحزن: »neither of those works for me today."- في السوشيال ميديا:
I love
bothof your new posts! - في الشغل/الدراسة:
neitherof these dates for the Zoom meeting works for me. - في التسوق: «اشتري القميص الأسود ولا الأبيض؟» الرد:
eitherlooks great on you. - في الألعاب:
bothteams are playing really well tonight.
I like neither. دي أحسن طريقة عشان تبدو طلق في الكلام وما تبانش زي الروبوت. بالإضافة إنها بتوفر لك مساحة حروف على Twitter/X، وده طبعاً الأولوية الحقيقية هنا.الأخطاء الشائعة
- النفي المزدوج (Double Negative): دي الغلطة الكبيرة.
neitherهي أصلاً نفي، فمش محتاجnotتانية. ما تقولش "I don't like neither«، لأن دي معناها الحقيقي إنك بتحب واحد فيهم على الأقل! الصح تقول »I likeneither« أو »I don't likeeither". - اللخبطة بين Or و Nor: افتكر حرف الـ
N. كلمةeitherبتمشي معorوneitherبتمشي معnor. اعتبرneitherوnorزي التوأم اللي دايماً مكشرين وبياخدوا حرف الـNمعاهم في كل مكان. - الأسماء الجمع مقابل المفرد: بعد
eitherوneitherاستخدم اسم مفرد لو مش حتستخدمof. قول
مشeitherway is fineeither ways. - استخدامهم لـ 3 حاجات أو أكتر: لو عندك تلات قمصان، ما تقولش
both of them are dirty
، قولall of them. الناس حتبص لك باستغراب لو استخدمت كلمات الأزواج لمجموعات كبيرة. ده زي ما تسمي الحامل ثلاثي القوائم (tripod) «جوز رجول»، الحسبة مش راكبة! - توافق الفاعل والفعل مع 'Of': زي ما قلنا، الجملة الرسمية هي
Neither of my friends
. بسiscomingNeither of my friends
هي اللي حتسمعها في القعدات العادية. ما تشغلش بالك كتير، بس اعرف الفرق عشان الامتحانات!arecoming
مقارنة مع أنماط مشابهة
bothمقابلall: كلمةbothلـ 2، وallلـ 3 أو أكتر. حساب بسيط! لو قلتBoth my childrenحعرف إن عندك طفلين. لو قلتAll my childrenفأنت يا إما عندك أطفال كتير يا إما بتتكلم عن مسلسل درامي قديم.eitherمقابلany: كلمةeitherيعني بتختار بين 2. أماanyفبتختار من مجموعة كبيرة.Take
(يعني في كوكيز اتنين بس).eithercookieTake
(يعني البرطمان مليان).anycookieneitherمقابلnone: كلمةneitherيعني «مش أ ومش ب». أماnoneفهي لمجموعة من 3 أو أكتر.
(طبيعي).neitherof my eyes
(إلا لو كنت عنكبوت، دي جملة غريبة جداً).noneof my eyeseitherمقابلboth: ساعات بيبانوا شبه بعض.You can sit on
معناها تختار جنب واحد تقعد فيه.eitherside of the tableYou can sit on
معناها إنك بتحاول تعمل خدعة سحرية أو إنك عريض جداً!bothsides of the tableneitherمقابلnot... either: الاتنين ليهم نفس المعنى. "I don't like iteither« هي نفسها »neitherdo I". التانية بس بتبان إنها أرقى شوية، كأنك لابس نظارة أحادية وأنت بتبعت رسالة.
أسئلة شائعة
هل ينفع استخدم both مع اسم مفرد؟
لا، دايماً استخدم الجمع.
Both students وعمرك ما تقول Both student.
هل جملة neither... nor رسمية زيادة عن اللزوم في الرسائل؟
شوية. في الرسايل الناس غالباً بتقول "I don't like X or Y" بدل كدة. بس neither... nor ممتازة للتأكيد!
طيب لو عندي تلات حاجات؟ ينفع أقول either or or؟
لأ طبعاً! حول لـ any of these أو بس اذكرهم بالترتيب:
We can do A, B, or C.
هل الصح
Neither of them isولا
Neither of them are؟
is هي الصح قواعدياً في الامتحانات. are شائعة جداً في الكلام. استخدم is مع مديرك و are مع صحابك.
هل ممكن either تعني «الكل»؟
أحياناً!
There are trees on either side of the road عادةً معناها إن في شجر على الجنبين. الإنجليزي غريب ساعات، معلش!
هل ينفع أقول
neither بس كإجابة كاملة؟
طبعاً. دي طريقة ممتازة عشان تكون «درامي» شوية لما حد يديك خيارين أوحش من بعض.
2. Negative Equivalents
| Structure | Equivalent Negative | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Neither...
|
Not... either
|
I like neither. / I don't like either.
|
|
Neither of...
|
Not... either of
|
Neither of them came. / They didn't either of them come (Rare).
|
Determiner and Pronoun Structures
| Word | Noun Type | Verb Agreement | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Both
|
Plural Noun
|
Plural
|
Both cars are fast.
|
|
Both of
|
the/my + Plural
|
Plural
|
Both of my cars are fast.
|
|
Either
|
Singular Noun
|
Singular
|
Either car is fine.
|
|
Either of
|
the/my + Plural
|
Singular (Formal)
|
Either of the cars is fine.
|
|
Neither
|
Singular Noun
|
Singular
|
Neither car is fast.
|
|
Neither of
|
the/my + Plural
|
Singular (Formal)
|
Neither of the cars is fast.
|
Meanings
These words are used to refer to two people or things. They help clarify if you mean the whole pair, one of the pair, or none of the pair.
Inclusion (Both)
Refers to two things together; the whole pair.
“Both restaurants are very expensive.”
“I have two brothers; both are older than me.”
Choice (Either)
Refers to one or the other of two things; it doesn't matter which.
“You can take either bus; they both go to the center.”
“Either candidate would be a good choice.”
Exclusion (Neither)
Refers to not one and not the other of two things.
“Neither key opened the door.”
“Neither of my parents speaks English.”
Correlative Pairs
Using 'both...and', 'either...or', and 'neither...nor' to connect two parts of a sentence.
“Both the cat and the dog are sleeping.”
“Either you stay or I leave.”
Reference Table
| الكلمة | الوظيفة | المعنى | توافق الفعل | أداة الربط |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Both
|
محدد/ضمير/رابط
|
الأول وَ الثاني معاً
|
جمع (مثل are, have)
|
...and...
|
|
Either
|
محدد/ضمير/رابط
|
الأول أَوْ الثاني
|
مفرد (مثل is, has)
|
...or...
|
|
Neither
|
محدد/ضمير/رابط
|
ليس الأول وَ ليس الثاني
|
مفرد (مثل is, has)
|
...nor...
|
|
Both of
|
ضمير (مع مفعول جمع)
|
اثنين من أصل اثنين
|
جمع
|
غير متاح
|
|
Either of
|
ضمير (مع مفعول جمع)
|
واحد من أصل اثنين
|
مفرد
|
غير متاح
|
|
Neither of
|
ضمير (مع مفعول جمع)
|
صفر من أصل اثنين
|
مفرد
|
غير متاح
|
طيف الرسمية
Neither option is acceptable to me. (Declining two suggestions)
I don't like either of them. (Declining two suggestions)
Neither for me, thanks. (Declining two suggestions)
Nah, neither's any good. (Declining two suggestions)
قاعدة الاثنين: Both, Either, Neither
Both
- هذا وَ ذاك Both options are true/chosen.
- فعل جمع Always takes a plural verb (e.g., 'are', 'have').
- Both...and... Conjunction pair.
Either
- هذا أَوْ ذاك Choice between two, or one of two is true.
- فعل مفرد Usually takes a singular verb (e.g., 'is', 'has').
- Either...or... Conjunction pair.
Neither
- لا هذا وَ لا ذاك Zero of the two options are true/chosen.
- فعل مفرد Usually takes a singular verb (e.g., 'is', 'has').
- Neither...nor... Conjunction pair.
مقارنة بين 'Both' و 'Either' و 'Neither'
كيف تختار بين Both, Either, Neither؟
هل تتكلم عن شيئين/شخصين/خيارين بالضبط؟
هل تقصد 'هذا وذاك معاً'؟
هل تقصد 'واحد منهم فقط' أو خيار؟
هل تقصد 'ولا واحد' من الاثنين؟
عبارات شائعة مع Both, Either, Neither
إيجابي ومزدوج
- • Both of us
- • Both sides
- • Both...and...
خيار وبديل
- • Either way
- • Either of them
- • Either...or...
نفي واستبعاد
- • Neither of us
- • Neither here nor there
- • Neither...nor...
أمثلة حسب المستوى
I like both dogs.
I like both dogs.
Either is fine.
Either is fine.
Neither of them is here.
Neither of them is here.
Both my hands are cold.
Both my hands are cold.
Neither of the movies was interesting.
Neither of the movies was interesting.
You can have either tea or coffee.
You can have either tea or coffee.
Both of my parents are teachers.
Both of my parents are teachers.
I don't like either of these shirts.
I don't like either of these shirts.
Neither the manager nor the assistant was available.
Neither the manager nor the assistant was available.
Both the price and the quality are important.
Both the price and the quality are important.
Either you finish your homework or you can't go out.
Either you finish your homework or you can't go out.
I've lived in both London and New York.
I've lived in both London and New York.
Neither of the proposed solutions seems viable at this stage.
Neither of the proposed solutions seems viable at this stage.
The results were both surprising and disappointing.
The results were both surprising and disappointing.
Either the battery is dead or the motor is broken.
Either the battery is dead or the motor is broken.
I found neither of the books particularly helpful.
I found neither of the books particularly helpful.
Neither did she acknowledge her mistake, nor did she apologize.
Neither did she acknowledge her mistake, nor did she apologize.
The policy was both ambitious in scope and rigorous in execution.
The policy was both ambitious in scope and rigorous in execution.
It was a situation where either choice would lead to disaster.
It was a situation where either choice would lead to disaster.
Neither of the witnesses could provide a definitive identification.
Neither of the witnesses could provide a definitive identification.
The duality of the soul is a concept that is both ancient and enduring.
The duality of the soul is a concept that is both ancient and enduring.
Neither the inherent complexity of the task nor the looming deadline deterred him.
Neither the inherent complexity of the task nor the looming deadline deterred him.
One might argue that either interpretation is equally valid given the text's ambiguity.
One might argue that either interpretation is equally valid given the text's ambiguity.
The treaty was neither a total success nor an absolute failure, but a pragmatic compromise.
The treaty was neither a total success nor an absolute failure, but a pragmatic compromise.
سهل الخلط
Learners use 'neither' for groups of three or more.
Learners use 'either' when there are many options.
Learners use 'all' for pairs.
أخطاء شائعة
I have three brothers, both are tall.
I have three brothers, all are tall.
I don't want neither.
I want neither / I don't want either.
Both of book are good.
Both books are good.
Either of the book is fine.
Either of the books is fine.
Neither of my parents are here.
Neither of my parents is here.
Either you come or nor I go.
Either you come or I go.
I like both of them shirts.
I like both of those shirts.
Neither the teacher nor the students is happy.
Neither the teacher nor the students are happy.
Neither he spoke nor he moved.
Neither did he speak nor did he move.
أنماط الجُمل
Both ___ and ___ are ___.
Neither of the ___ is ___.
You can either ___ or ___.
Neither ___ nor ___ ___.
Real World Usage
I'll have both the soup and the salad, please.
I am comfortable working both independently and in a team.
Either time works for me! See ya.
Neither the mouse nor the keyboard is responding.
Neither of those flights has a window seat available.
Both of these dresses are on sale.
تذكر 'قاعدة الاثنين'
Both of my parents are here.
انتبه للروابط!
I like neither tea nor coffee.
سر توافق الفعل
Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.
مرونة في النطق
Either pronunciation is perfectly fine.
النفي مع 'Both'
Smart Tips
Always check if you can use 'either' instead of 'any' to sound more precise.
Stick to the singular verb for 'neither of' and 'either of'.
Use 'neither' for negative agreement and 'too' for affirmative agreement.
Remember that 'both of' requires 'the', 'my', 'these', etc., but 'both' alone does not.
النطق
The 'Either' Split
There are two correct ways to say 'either' and 'neither'. One starts with an 'EE' sound, the other with an 'EYE' sound.
Choice Intonation
Either tea ↗ or coffee ↘?
Rising intonation on the first option, falling on the second to show a complete list of choices.
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
BEN: Both (Every one), Either (Either one), Neither (No one).
ربط بصري
Imagine a fork in the road with two paths. Both = you take both (impossible but helpful!), Either = you pick one, Neither = you turn around and go home.
Rhyme
Both is two, Either is one, Neither is zero and then we are done!
Story
Two friends, Ben and Jerry, went to a shop. Both wanted ice cream. Either chocolate or vanilla was fine for Ben. But Jerry had no money, so neither flavor was possible for him.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Look at two objects on your desk. Say one sentence using 'both', one using 'either', and one using 'neither' about them.
ملاحظات ثقافية
In the UK, 'EYE-ther' is slightly more common in formal settings, while 'EE-ther' is very common in the US, though both are used in both places.
Saying 'Either is fine' is a very common way to be polite in English-speaking cultures, as it shows you are flexible and easy to please.
In legal documents, 'neither...nor' is used strictly to ensure there is no ambiguity about exclusions.
From Old English 'ba' (both) and 'ægther' (either).
بدايات محادثة
Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Which of these two cities would you rather visit: Tokyo or Paris?
Have you ever had a situation where neither of your choices was good?
In your opinion, is it better to have both a high salary and no free time, or a low salary and lots of free time?
مواضيع للكتابة اليومية
أخطاء شائعة
Test Yourself
Score: /4
تمارين تطبيقية
8 exercisesI have two sisters. ___ of them are doctors.
I don't like ___ of these two paintings.
Find and fix the mistake:
Neither of the cars are working.
1. Both... 2. Either... 3. Neither...
Tom isn't here and Sarah isn't here.
Either the students or the teacher ___ responsible.
You can have ___ the red one or the blue one, but not both.
I have three friends...
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesYou can take ___ the bus or the train to get there.
She can speak neither English or Spanish.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate: 'Ambos coches son rojos.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentence parts:
I have two sisters, and ___ of them live in London.
Either of the two solutions are viable.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate: '¿Quieres té o café? Cualquiera de los dos está bien.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
We visited two museums, and ___ of them had interesting exhibits.
Neither my friends or my brother are coming to the concert.
Score: /13
الأسئلة الشائعة (8)
No, `both` is strictly for two things. For three or more, use `all`.
In formal writing, use `is` (singular). In casual conversation, `are` (plural) is very common and accepted.
Use `either` for a choice between 2 things. Use `any` for a choice between 3 or more things.
Yes! For example: `Neither of us wanted to go.` Just remember not to use a negative verb like `didn't` with it.
Both `EE-ther` and `EYE-ther` are correct. Pick one and be consistent, or use whichever sounds more natural in the moment!
It is a short way to agree with a negative statement. If someone says 'I don't like spinach,' you say `Me neither`.
Use `nor` only when you have already used `neither` earlier in the sentence (e.g., `Neither A nor B`).
No. You can say `both books` or `both of the books`. However, with pronouns, you MUST use 'of': `both of them`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ambos / tampoco / o...o
Spanish doesn't have a single word that functions exactly like the determiner 'neither' in 'Neither book is good'.
les deux / l'un ou l'autre / ni...ni
French requires 'ne' with 'ni...ni', whereas English 'neither' is used with an affirmative verb.
beide / entweder...oder / weder...noch
German 'beide' can sometimes be used where English would prefer 'the two'.
両方 (ryouhou) / どちらか (dochira ka)
Japanese grammar doesn't distinguish as strictly between 2 and 3+ in its basic quantifiers.
كلاهما (kilahuma)
The dual form is built into the nouns and verbs themselves in Arabic.
两个都 (liǎng gè dōu)
Chinese lacks specific binary-only words like 'either' and 'neither'.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
فيديوهات ذات صلة
Mirror Bacteria Could Destroy All Life As We Know It
Are there really dead wasps in figs? - Carolyn Beans
Roman-Style Chicken | Food Wishes
شرح Both / either / neither / none / all - قواعد اللغة الانجليزية كاملة
English with Omnia
شرح both / either / neither - كورس القواعد المستوى الثاني
ZAmericanEnglish
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