Grammar PowerPoint Project

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Grammar PowerPoint Project
EITHER OR versus NEITHER NOR

• EITHER OR VERSUS NEITHER NOR

EITHER OR versus NEITHER NOR
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When do I use either or?

• Either / or is used in a sentence when referring
  to a choice between two possibilities.

When do I use neither nor?

• Neither / nor is used in a sentence in a
  negative context when you want to say that
  two or more things are untrue.

• Clarify
• Both ''neither'' and ''either'' must be
  followed by a preposition that is consistent with
  the meaning and intent of these words.
• Since ''neither'' conveys a negative, it must
  be matched with the negative preposition ''nor''
  whenever it is used a sentence.
• -Neither is never paired with or.
• Since ''either'' denotes a positive and
  conditional meaning, it must be followed by the
  positive conditional preposition ''or'' in a
  sentence.
• - Either is never paired with nor.

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• Singular or plural
• When using either/or and neither/nor, note the
  following rules

1. If both elements are singular, then the verb
is singular too.
Either the father or the mother has to attend
the meeting. (Father and mother are singular so
the verb has is singular too) Neither Leila
nor Nancy is going to write the report. (Leila
and Nancy are singular so the verb is is
singular too)
2. However, if one of the elements is plural,
then use a plural verb.
Either Sue or the girls are going to prepare
dinner tonight. (The girls are plural so the
verb is plural too) Neither the teacher nor
the students were in the classroom this
morning. (The students are plural so the verb
is plural too)
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Not only/but also

• When not only is followed by but also (or
  simply but), make sure the parts that follow
  each set of words are formatted the same way.
• not only is followed by but also (or but)
• Example He is not only a great swimmer, but also
  a great musician. (Good because the sentence
  uses two noun clauses, which are underlined.)

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Test Your Knowledge

• 1. You can use ___ this computer ___ the other
  one. Someone must fix them first
• Neither/nor
• Neither/or
• Either/or
• Either/nor

A is the correct answer

• 2. My mother can ___ read ___ write. She is
  illiterate.
• Either/or
• Neither/or
• Either/nor
• Neither/nor

D is the correct answer
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Test Your Knowledge

• 3. The girl was neither happy nor sad about her
  grade. She was content.
• Either/nor
• Neither/or
• Either/or
• Neither/nor

D is the correct answer

• 4. She had to choose to eat _____ the pizza __
  pasta.
• Neither/or
• Either/nor
• Neither/nor
• Either /or

D is the correct answer