Skip to main content

Activities: “Both, either, and neither: How to use them in English?”

By: revel arroway

Activity 1: ‘both of them’ / ‘neither of them’

John and Mark have a lot in common. Look at the things they say about themselves. Then write a sentence, using both of them or neither of them.

For example:

John:
I love watching old movies.
Mark:
My favorite movies are the really old ones.

Both of them like old movies.

  1. John:
    I don’t like vegetables very much.
    Mark:
    I hate vegetables. I never eat them!

  2. John:
    I’m pretty easy-going.
    Mark:
    I really like making new friends.

  3. John:
    I’m good at math.
    Mark:
    Math was my favorite subject at school.

  4. John:
    My parents live in Colorado.
    Mark:
    My parents live in Denver.

  5. John:
    I think video games are a waste of time.
    Mark:
    I’m too busy to play video games.

  6. John:
    I run every morning before breakfast.
    Mark:
    I train every day at the gym.

  7. John:
    I was born just down the road.
    Mark:
    I was born at the local hospital.

  8. John:
    I don’t have any brothers or sisters.
    Mark:
    I have one sister.

  9. John:
    I love living in Houston.
    Mark:
    I think Houston is a good place to live and work.

Activity 2: ‘either….or’ / ‘neither….nor’

Now, look at these statements and complete the sentences with one of the two phrases:

  • Either John or Mark might
  • Neither John nor Mark would

For example:

  • John:
    I love living in Houston.
    Mark:
    I think Houston is a good place to live and work.

    Either John or Mark might go see a classic film.

  1. John:
    I don’t like vegetables very much.
    Mark:
    I hate vegetables. I never eat them!

    eat a plate of spinach.

  2. John:
    I’m pretty easy-going.
    Mark:
    I really like making new friends.

    chat with a stranger at a party.

  3. John:
    I’m good at math.
    Mark:
    Math was my favorite subject at school.

    decide to teach math.

  4. John:
    My parents live in Colorado.
    Mark:
    My parents live in Denver.

    drive to California to visit their parents.

  5. John:
    I think video games are a waste of time.
    Mark:
    I’m too busy to play video games.

    spend a weekend playing video games.

  6. John:
    I run every morning before breakfast.
    Mark:
    I train every day at the gym.

    do well at sports.

  7. John:
    I don’t have any brothers or sisters.
    Mark:
    I have one sister.

    buy a gift for their brother.

  8. John:
    I love living in Houston.
    Mark:
    I think Houston is a good place to live and work.

    be excited to move to a new city.