Unit 79. Both/both of, neither / neither of, either / either of

A.
We use both, neither, and either when we are talking about two things. You can use these words with a noun:

Both restaurants are very good, (not the both restaurants)

Neither restaurant is expensive.

We can go to either restaurant. I don’t care, (either = one or the other; it doesn’t matter which one)

I didn’t like either restaurant, (not the one or the other)

B.
You can also use both/neither/either with of…. When you use these words with of, you always need the/these/those/my/your/his, etc. You cannot say, “both of restaurants.” You have to say “both of the restaurants,” “both of these restaurants,” etc.:

Both of these restaurants are very good.

Neither of the restaurants we went to was (or were) expensive.

? We can go to either of those restaurants. I don’t mind.
With both you can leave out of. So you can say:

both my parents or both of my parents

C.
After both of / neither of / either of you can also use us/you/them:

Can either of you speak Spanish?

I wanted Tom and Ann to come, but neither of them wanted to. You must say: “both of before us/you/them:

Both of us were very tired, (not Both us …)

D.
After neither of… you can use a singular or a plural verb:

Neither of the children wants (or want) to go to bed.

Neither of us is (or are) married.

E.
You can say both… and…, neither… nor…, and either… or …Study these examples:

Both Tom and Ann were late.

They were both tired and hungry.

Neither Tom nor Ann came to the party.

He said he would contact me, but he neither wrote nor called.

I’m not sure where he is from. He’s either Spanish or Italian.

Either you apologize, or I’ll never speak to you again.

F.
You can also use both/neither/either alone:

“Is he British or American?” “Neither. He’s Australian.”

“Do you want tea or coffee?” “Either. It doesn’t matter.”

I couldn’t decide which one to choose. I liked both.

For I don’t either and neither do I see Unit 49c.