Using Either Neither Quiz

1. Either is used when only one of two options is chosen or true.

True

False

Either points to one of two possibilities, not both at the same time.

Explanation

Either points to one of two possibilities, not both at the same time.

2. Which rule about either and neither is correct?

Either and neither can only be used with three or more choices.

Either and neither usually deal with two options and often take singular verbs.

Either always means both choices together.

Neither always means at least one choice is true.

Either and neither are mainly used for two choices and are grammatically singular in most structures.

Explanation

Either and neither are mainly used for two choices and are grammatically singular in most structures.

3. Neither is often paired with nor in longer sentences.

True

False

We commonly use the correlative pair neither...nor... to join two parts of a sentence.

Explanation

We commonly use the correlative pair neither...nor... to join two parts of a sentence.

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5. Neither is used when both of the two options are accepted.

True

False

Neither shows that none of the two choices is accepted or true.

Explanation

Neither shows that none of the two choices is accepted or true.

6. Complete the sentence: We use ___ when not one and not the other of two options is true.

Neither shows that none of the two choices is chosen or correct.

Explanation

Neither shows that none of the two choices is chosen or correct.

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7. In simple sentences like Either dog is barking, either usually takes a singular verb.

True

False

Either and neither are grammatically singular, so they normally use singular verbs.

Explanation

Either and neither are grammatically singular, so they normally use singular verbs.

8. Complete the sentence: ___ answer is right, so we need to try again.

Neither answer is right means that not one of the two answers is correct.

Explanation

Neither answer is right means that not one of the two answers is correct.

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9. Which sentence best uses either in everyday speech?

Either my shoes is new.

Either my shoe are new.

Either my shoes or my jacket is new.

Either my shoe or my jacket are new.

The verb agrees with the nearer singular subject jacket, so is is correct in C.

Explanation

The verb agrees with the nearer singular subject jacket, so is is correct in C.

10. Which sentence correctly uses neither...nor...?

Neither Sam nor his friends is coming.

Neither Sam nor his friends are coming.

Neither Sam nor his friend are coming.

Neither Sam nor his friend coming.

The verb agrees with the nearer plural subject friends, so are coming is correct.

Explanation

The verb agrees with the nearer plural subject friends, so are coming is correct.

11. Complete the sentence: ___ movie is fine; I like both of them.

Either movie is fine means that one or the other movie will work.

Explanation

Either movie is fine means that one or the other movie will work.

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12. What does neither mean in a sentence like Neither answer is correct?

Only the first answer is correct

Only the second answer is correct

Both answers are correct

Not one and not the other answer is correct

Neither means that none of the two options is true or chosen.

Explanation

Neither means that none of the two options is true or chosen.

13. Which sentence best uses neither in everyday speech?

Neither my brother nor my sister are home.

Neither my brother nor my sister is home.

Neither my brothers nor my sister is home.

Neither my brothers nor my sister am home.

When the two subjects are both singular, a singular verb is standard, so is home is correct.

Explanation

When the two subjects are both singular, a singular verb is standard, so is home is correct.

14. What does either usually mean when we talk about two choices?

Both choices together

Only the first choice

One choice or the other, but not both

None of the choices

Either shows that one of the two options is possible or acceptable.

Explanation

Either shows that one of the two options is possible or acceptable.

15. Which sentence correctly uses either...or...?

Either the red shirt or the blue pants are clean.

Either the red shirt or the blue pants is clean.

Either the red shirts or the blue pants is clean.

Either the red shirt or the blue pant are clean.

With either...or..., the verb agrees with the nearer subject, here plural pants, so are is correct.

Explanation

With either...or..., the verb agrees with the nearer subject, here plural pants, so are is correct.

16. Which sentence uses either correctly?

Either dogs are barking loudly.

Either dog are barking loudly.

Either dog is barking loudly.

Either dogs is barking loudly.

Either is singular, so it takes a singular noun and singular verb, as in Either dog is barking.

Explanation

Either is singular, so it takes a singular noun and singular verb, as in Either dog is barking.

17. Which sentence uses neither correctly?

Neither cat like water.

Neither cats likes water.

Neither cat likes water.

Neither cats like water.

Neither is singular, so it takes a singular noun and singular verb, as in Neither cat likes water.

Explanation

Neither is singular, so it takes a singular noun and singular verb, as in Neither cat likes water.

18. Which sentences use either or neither correctly? “Select all that apply.”

Either cookie is fine with me.

Neither choice seems easy.

Either cats is hungry.

Neither answers is right.

Either movie or game are fun.

A and B correctly use either and neither with singular nouns and singular verbs. C, D, and E contain agreement errors.

Explanation

A and B correctly use either and neither with singular nouns and singular verbs. C, D, and E contain agreement errors.

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19. In which sentences is either or neither used incorrectly? “Select all that apply.”

Either choice is okay.

Neither plans work for us.

Either dogs is loud.

Neither book are interesting.

Either house or apartment are fine.

C, D, and E have mismatched plural nouns and singular verbs or wrong verb forms with either/neither.

Explanation

C, D, and E have mismatched plural nouns and singular verbs or wrong verb forms with either/neither.

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20. Which sentences correctly use either...or or neither...nor? “Select all that apply.”

Either Mom or Dad is picking us up.

Neither the teacher nor the students is ready.

Either the apples or the banana is ripe.

Neither the dog nor the cat is outside.

Either my brothers or my sister are home.

In A and C the verb agrees with the nearer subject. The other sentences have agreement errors.

Explanation

In A and C the verb agrees with the nearer subject. The other sentences have agreement errors.

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Choice Focus: Using Either and Neither Quiz

1. Either is used when only one of two options is chosen or true.

2. Which rule about either and neither is correct?

3. Neither is often paired with nor in longer sentences.

4. Complete the sentence: We use ___ when one of two options is possible or acceptable.

5. Neither is used when both of the two options are accepted.

6. Complete the sentence: We use ___ when not one and not the other of two options is true.

7. In simple sentences like Either dog is barking, either usually takes a singular verb.

8. Complete the sentence: ___ answer is right, so we need to try again.

9. Which sentence best uses either in everyday speech?

10. Which sentence correctly uses neither...nor...?

11. Complete the sentence: ___ movie is fine; I like both of them.

12. What does neither mean in a sentence like Neither answer is correct?

13. Which sentence best uses neither in everyday speech?

14. What does either usually mean when we talk about two choices?

15. Which sentence correctly uses either...or...?

16. Which sentence uses either correctly?

17. Which sentence uses neither correctly?

18. Which sentences use either or neither correctly? “Select all that apply.”

19. In which sentences is either or neither used incorrectly? “Select all that apply.”

20. Which sentences correctly use either...or or neither...nor? “Select all that apply.”