Unit 38: Both, either, neither, so, nor
Ngữ pháp Both, either, neither, so, nor
📘 Giải thích tiếng Việt
both ... and (cả hai)
Hình thức: both + N + and + N (hoặc both + tính từ + and + tính từ). Cách dùng: nhấn mạnh cả hai đều đúng. Ví dụ: Both Adam and Vicky are kind. Có thể đặt both sau chủ ngữ: They both know it. Trước đại từ dùng both of: both of them.
either ... or (hoặc ... hoặc)
Hình thức: either + ... + or + ... Cách dùng: nói về lựa chọn giữa hai thứ. Ví dụ: You can either call or write. Trước đại từ dùng either of: either of them.
neither ... nor (không cái này cũng không cái kia)
Hình thức: neither + ... + nor + ... Cách dùng: nhấn mạnh cả hai đều phủ định (bản thân câu đã mang nghĩa phủ định, không thêm not). Ví dụ: It was neither true nor fair. Trước đại từ: neither of us.
so / nor (cũng vậy)
Dùng để đồng tình, thêm thông tin. Hình thức: so + trợ động từ/be/modal + chủ ngữ (câu khẳng định); nor (hoặc neither) + trợ động từ + chủ ngữ (câu phủ định). Dấu hiệu: trợ động từ phải hợp thì với câu trước. Ví dụ: She is tired, and so am I. / 'I don't like it.' 'Nor do I.'
Theory
both
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| To emphasise that each of two things is true | Both Adam and Vicky said Colin was very kind. Simon is both rude and unkind. |
| To say the same thing about two things | My sister and I were both shocked by what you said. Jack and Jill both know lots of jokes. |
✓ I used to be good friends with Lisa and Mike, but I've had an argument with both of them.
either
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| To talk about a choice between two things | I think I'll buy a Valentine's card with either a puppy or a kitten on it. You can either tell him how you feel or hope he notices. |
✓ I really like Robert and Martin – I'll go out with either of them!
neither
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| To emphasise that each of two negative things is true | I've got neither the time nor the energy to take up a new hobby at the moment. What you said to Lucy was neither true nor fair. |
✓ Neither of us found Jason's joke funny.
so, nor
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| To add more information to a positive statement | Lisa is really unkind, and so is Angela. You're good at listening to people, and so am I. |
| To add more information to a negative statement | My brother hasn't been invited to the party, and nor has his friend. Tom wouldn't forgive Jenny if she told everyone his secret, and nor would I. |
✓ 'I like Hannah's sense of humour.' 'So do I.'
✓ 'I don't find Mark funny.' 'Nor do I.'
Exercise A
If the phrase in bold in each sentence is correct, put a tick (✓). If it is wrong, write the correct phrase.
Exercise B
Join the two sentences using either... or.
You can...
I'm considering...
I might...
John has...
Every night, my dad...
We can...
I've...
You could...
Exercise C
Circle the correct word.
Exercise D
Join the two sentences using neither... nor.
Jim...
Carol...
Al...
Neither...
Pauline...
Neither...
Exercise E
Write one word in each gap.
June:... and so we went to see that new Tim Banks comedy last week.
Polly: Oh, so (1) __________ we. What did you think? We weren't very impressed.
June: (2) __________ were we. It wasn't very funny.
Polly: I didn't want to go, but Kevin likes that cinema. So (3) __________ I, actually. We've been there hundreds of times.
June: The one in town? Oh, so (4) __________ we. The ice cream there is great, and (5) __________ is the popcorn! I could eat it all night.
Polly: Yes! So (6) __________ I! I don't like their drinks, though.
June: Oh, no. (7) __________ do I. Anyway, we're thinking of going to see what's on this evening.
Polly: (8) __________ are Jack and I. Let's meet up. I don't finish work until seven.
June: (9) __________ do I. I'll see what's on and give you a ring. I'm looking forward to it already.
Polly: So (10) __________ I. Okay, speak to you later.
Exercise F
Write what they say using the words given in the correct form. Add any other words you need and use your imagination.
