It is important to grasp the meanings and difference between ‘either’ and ‘neither’ so that we don’t get confused between the two. Both words can be used as pronoun, conjunction and adjective; however, the use of ‘either’ is considered positive, while the use of ‘neither’ is considered negative.

As adjective:

‘Either’ indicates one or the other, or both. For example:

You may use either hand for the purpose. = You may use your right or left hand for the purpose.

There were tall houses on either side of the river. = There were tall houses on both sides of the river.

‘Neither’ indicates not one or the other; none of the two. For example;

Neither twin was invited to the wedding. = None of the twins was invited to the wedding.

As pronoun:

‘Either’ indicates one or the other. For example:

Both buses are headed in that direction, you can get on either. = Both buses are headed in that direction, you can get on one or the other.

‘Neither’ indicates not one or the other. For example:

Both pups were pure-breed, but neither displayed the characteristic traits of its breed. = Both pups were pure-breed, but not one or the other displayed the characteristic traits of its breed.

As conjunction:

‘Either’ is used with ‘or’ to imply a choice of alternatives. For example:

You can either play on the computer or watch TV. = You can do one of two things: play on the computer or watch TV.

‘Neither’ is used with ‘nor’ to negate both parts of a statement. For example:

I can neither play on the computer nor watch TV. = I cannot play on the computer or watch TV.

‘Either’ is also used as an adverb, to mean ‘also’, following negative expressions. For example:

If you don’t go, I won’t go either. = If you stay, I will stay also.

‘Neither’, on the other hand, is not used as an adverb.