What does "neither" mean?

1. (not either one) not one of two people or things, used on its own. 2. (neither... nor) used with 'nor' to connect two negative ideas or choices. 3. (me neither) used to show that a negative statement is also true for someone else.

How do you use "neither"?

Often followed by 'of' plus a plural noun or pronoun. Pairs exclusively with 'nor' to connect words or phrases of the same grammatical type. In formal writing, it often triggers subject-auxiliary inversion, as in 'Neither do I'.

Is it correct to say "I neither like tea or coffee."?

No — say "I neither like tea nor coffee.". The word 'neither' must be paired with 'nor', not 'or'.

neither

pron. · conj. · adv.

US //ˈnaɪðɝ// UK //nˈaɪðɐ// nei·ther

1 not either one (pron.)
B1 Intermediate

not one of two people or things, used on its own.

a negative pronoun referring to two people or things previously mentioned or understood.

Example

I tried two different keys, but neither worked in the lock.

Example

Two proposals were submitted to the board, but neither of them addressed the core issue of long-term sustainability.

Usage

Often followed by 'of' plus a plural noun or pronoun.
- none of the two
- both
2 neither... nor (conj.)
B1 Intermediate

used with 'nor' to connect two negative ideas or choices.

the first part of a correlative conjunction pair used to link two negative possibilities.

Example

The hotel was neither clean nor comfortable.

Example

The report was neither accurate in its data nor helpful in its recommendations for future growth.

Usage

Pairs exclusively with 'nor' to connect words or phrases of the same grammatical type.
- both... and
Pitfall

I neither like tea or coffee.

I neither like tea nor coffee.

The word 'neither' must be paired with 'nor', not 'or'.

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3 me neither (adv.)
B1 Intermediate

used to show that a negative statement is also true for someone else.

used to introduce a further negative statement or to agree with a negative remark.

Example

I don't like cold weather, and neither does my sister.

Example

The first experiment failed to produce results, and neither did the subsequent attempts using the same methodology.

Usage

In formal writing, it often triggers subject-auxiliary inversion, as in 'Neither do I'.
- nor
- not... either
- too
- also

Origin

Alteration (after either) of nauther, from Middle English neiþer, from Old English nāwþer, contraction of nāhwæþer, corresponding to no + whether. Compare Latin neuter (“neither”). By surface analysis, not + either.

Idioms3 entries