English grammar
Neither … nor, not … either, not even
Say what doesn't work, what is no use either, and what you can't even do.
From the scene It neither works nor charges
In short
Neither … nor joins two negatives with a positive verb. Either adds one more negative; not even shows surprise.
Your turn
Which one goes with one more negative?
Options: it neither works nor charges · I can't even make a call · the speaker's no use either
Show answer
one more negative → the speaker's no use either
How it works
Neither … nor joins two negatives, and the verb stays positive: it neither works nor charges.
Good to know
Not … either adds a second negative to one you have already said, at the end: the speaker's no use either.
Good to know
Not even shows surprise that something you really expected is missing: I can't even make a call.
two negatives together it neither works nor charges
Elena
Javi, help me: this phone is useless. It neither works nor charges.
Javi, atiéndeme: este móvil es inútil. Ni funciona ni se carga.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Javi, help me: this phone is useless. (blank).
Options: I can't even make a call · It neither works nor charges · The speaker's no use either
Show answer
Elena
Javi, help me: this phone is useless. It neither works nor charges.
Javi, atiéndeme: este móvil es inútil. Ni funciona ni se carga.
one more negative the speaker's no use either
Elena
The speaker's no use either. I ask it the time and it talks about Japan.
El altavoz tampoco sirve. Le pregunto la hora y me habla de Japón.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). I ask it the time and it talks about Japan.
Options: The speaker's no use either · It neither works nor charges · I can't even make a call
Show answer
Elena
The speaker's no use either. I ask it the time and it talks about Japan.
El altavoz tampoco sirve. Le pregunto la hora y me habla de Japón.
a surprising negative I can't even make a call
Elena
And the signal? I can't even make a call.
¿Y la señal? Ni siquiera puedo llamar.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And the signal? (blank).
Options: I can't even make a call · It neither works nor charges · The speaker's no use either
Show answer
Elena
And the signal? I can't even make a call.
¿Y la señal? Ni siquiera puedo llamar.
a surprising negative that model isn't even available
Javi
Don Ramón, that model isn't even available. It's a museum piece!
Don Ramón, ese modelo ni siquiera está disponible. ¡Es una pieza de museo!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Don Ramón, (blank). It's a museum piece!
Options: that model isn't even available · it neither works nor charges · the speaker's no use either
Show answer
Javi
Don Ramón, that model isn't even available. It's a museum piece!
Don Ramón, ese modelo ni siquiera está disponible. ¡Es una pieza de museo!
two negatives: a complaint you neither ring nor answer
Elena
Of course it lasts: you neither ring nor answer!
Claro que dura: ¡usted ni llama ni contesta!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Of course it lasts: (blank)!
Options: it neither works nor charges · the speaker's no use either · you neither ring nor answer
Show answer
Elena
Of course it lasts: you neither ring nor answer!
Claro que dura: ¡usted ni llama ni contesta!
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| two negatives together | it neither works nor charges |
|---|---|
| one more negative | the speaker's no use either |
| a surprising negative | I can't even make a call |
| a surprising negative | that model isn't even available |
| two negatives: a complaint | you neither ring nor answer |
More lines from the story
- RamónIt's not in fashion, but it's useful: the battery lasts a month.No está de moda, pero es útil: la batería dura un mes.