# none of the two

CEFR B1 · Fixed phrase

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/none-of-the-two
Updated: 2026-07-28

## Definition

not one and not the other of two people or things. You use this when you want to say that a choice between two options results in zero.

For teachers: A quantificational phrase indicating the negative of both members in a set of two. While 'neither' is the standard pronominal form, 'none of the two' is a common learner construction that functions as a synonym for 'neither of them'.

## Examples

- I liked both shirts, but none of the two fit me.
- The manager interviewed two candidates this morning, but unfortunately, none of the two had the right experience for the role.
- The researchers tested two distinct hypotheses, yet none of the two yielded results that could be considered statistically significant.

## Pitfalls

- Not "None of the two girls are here." but "Neither of the two girls is here." — English speakers almost always prefer 'neither' when referring to exactly two items, and it typically takes a singular verb in formal contexts.

## Usage notes

- often considered less natural than 'neither of the two' in formal writing.
- Teaching tip: use this to bridge the gap toward 'neither'; explain that while 'none' usually refers to three or more, it is frequently used by learners in place of the dual-specific 'neither'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.