2020-09-14
180913คำชวนสับสน ในการใช้ ชุด E – Either...or – neither...nor
การใช้ภาษาอังกฤษ ที่ถือว่า ถูกต้อง ในที่นี้ เป็นไป ตามมาตรฐาน ของภาษา
การใช้ภาษาอังกฤษ ไม่กำหนดมาตฐาน ถือตามส่วนใหญ่ที่ใช้แต่ละท้องถิ่น
ความหมาย อาจยืดหยุ่น ขึ้นอยู่กับ ตำแหน่ง/หน้าที่ ในประโยค
Dictionary.com
American English ออกเสียง “EITHER-OR” = ‘EE-ther-AWR’ / ‘AHY-ther-awr’
British English ออกเสียง “NEITHER-NOR” = ‘NAHY-ther-nawr’ /’NAHY-ther-nawr’
Dictionary.com
GRAMMAR NOTES FOR EITHER
When the pronoun either is the subject and comes immediately before the verb,
the verb is singular: Either is good enough. Either grows well in this soil.
When either is followed by a prepositional phrase with a plural object, there is a tendency to use a plural verb, but a singular verb is more common: Either of them is (or are) good enough. Either of the shrubs grows (or grow) well in this soil.
As an adjective either refers only to two of anything: either side of the river; using either hand.
As a pronoun either sometimes occurs in reference to more than two ( either of the three children ), but any is more common in this construction ( any of the three children ).
As a conjunction, either often introduces a series of more than two: The houses were finished with either cedar siding or stucco or brick. The pizza is topped with either anchovies, green peppers, or mushrooms.
Usage guides say that the verb used with subjects joined by the correlative conjunctions either … or (or neither … nor ) is singular or plural depending on the number of the noun or pronoun nearer the verb: Either the parents or the school determines the program. Either the school or the parents determine the program.
Practice in this matter varies, however, and often the presence of one plural, no matter what its position, results in a plural verb: Either the parents or the school determine the program.
In carefully edited writing, these correlative conjunctions are usually placed so that what follows the first correlative is parallel to what follows the second: The damage was done by either the wind or vandals or either by the wind or by vandals (not done either by the wind or vandals).
PRONUNCIATION NOTE FOR EITHER
The pronunciations [ee-ther] and [nee-ther], with the vowel [ee] of see, are the usual ones in American English for the words either and neither.
The pronunciations [ahy-ther] and [nahy-ther], with the [ahy] vowel of bite, occur occasionally for these words, chiefly in the speech of the educated and in the network standard English of radio and television.
Both the [ee] and [ahy] pronunciations existed in British English, and in the 19th century the [ahy] came to predominate in standard British speech.
In American English, therefore, it reflects a recent borrowing from British speech rather than a survival from the time of early settlement, influenced as well by the ei spelling, which is pronounced as [ahy] in such words as height and stein.
Dictionary.com
GRAMMAR NOTES FOR NEITHER
As an adjective or pronoun meaning “not either,” neither is usually followed by a singular verb and referred to by a singular personal pronoun: Neither lawyer prepares her own briefs. Neither performs his duties for reward.
When neither is followed by a prepositional phrase with a plural object, there has been, ever since the 17th century, a tendency, especially in speech and less formal writing, to use a plural verb and personal pronoun: Neither of the guards were at their stations.
In edited writing, however, singular verbs and pronouns are more common in such constructions: Neither of the guards was at his station.
As a correlative conjunction, neither is almost always followedby nor, not or: Neither the liberals nor the conservatives had originally supported the winner.
Subjects connected by neither … nor take singular verbs and pronouns when both subjects are singular ( Neither Diane nor Nicole has her own apartment ), plural when both are plural: Neither the Yankees nor the Dodgers got much help from their bull pens that year.
Usage guides commonly say that when a singular and a plural subject are joined by these correlative conjunctions, the noun or pronoun nearer the verb should determine the number of the verb: Neither the mayor nor the council members have yielded on the issue. Neither the council members nor the mayor has yielded on the issue. Practice in this matter varies, however, and often the presence of one plural, no matter what its position, results in a plural verb.
In edited writing the construction following neither is parallel to the one following nor : The great days of American political oratory are neither dead nor waning (not neither are dead nor waning ). This sale sacrifices neither quality nor availability (not This sale neither sacrifices quality nor availability ).
Although some usage guides say that neither may introduce a series of no more than two, it often is used to introduce a series of three or more: The head of that department is neither skillful nor well-prepared nor honest. See also either.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Frequently Asked Questions About neither
How do you pronounce neither?
Neither has two acceptable pronunciations.
Its first syllable can sound like knee or like nigh.
Is it 'neither is' or 'neither are'?
Neither is usually used with a singularverb, as in "Neither one is here."
But sometimes, especially when a prepositional phrase with a plural in it comes between neither and the verb, a plural verb is used, as in "Neither of those are going to work."
Does neither mean "two"?
Neither is most often an adjective meaning "not one or the other of two people or things."
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language
Usage Note: According to the traditional rule, neither is used only to mean "not one or the other of two." To refer to "none of several," none is preferred: None (not neither) of the three opposition candidates would make a better president than the incumbent.
The traditional rule also holds that neither is grammatically singular: Neither candidate is having an easy time with the press.
However, it is often used with a plural verb, especially when followed by of and a plural: Neither of the candidates are really expressing their own views.
As a conjunction neither is properly followed by nor, not or, in formal style: Neither prayers nor curses (not or curses) did any good.
Collins COBUILD English Usage
neither
1. 'neither' and 'neither of'
You use neither or neither of to make a negative statement about two people or things.
You use neither in front of the singular form of a countable noun.
You use neither of in front of a plural pronoun or a plural noun phrase beginning with the, these, those, or a possessive.
So, for example, you can say 'Neither child was hurt' or 'Neither of the children was hurt'. There is no difference in meaning.
Neither man spoke or moved.
Neither of them spoke for several moments.
Be Careful!
Don't use 'neither' without of in front of a plural form.
Don't say, for example, 'Neither the children was hurt'.
Also, don't use 'not' after neither.
Don't say, for example, 'Neither of the children wasn't hurt'.
People sometimes use a plural form of a verb after neither of and a noun phrase.
For example, they say 'Neither of the children were hurt'.
Neither of them are students.
Neither of them were listening.
This use is acceptable in conversation and in less formal writing,
but in formal writing you should always use a singular form of a verb after neither of.
2. 'neither' in replies
When a negative statement has been made,
you can use neither to show that this statement also applies to another person or thing.
You put neither at the beginning of the clause, followed by an auxiliary verb, a modal, or be, then the subject.
You can also use nor in the same way with the same meaning.
'I didn't invite them.' – 'Neither did I.'
If your printer does not work, neither will your fax or copier.
Douglas can't do it, and nor can Gavin.
Collins English Dictionary
neither ... nor
In writing and formal speech, neither and nor are used for linking two words or expressions in order to make a negative statement about two people, things, qualities, or actions.
You put neither in front of the first word or expression and nor in front of the second one.
For example, instead of saying 'The President did not come and the Vice-President did not come' you can say 'Neither the President nor the Vice-President came'.
Neither he nor Melanie owe me an apology.
He neither drinks nor smokes.
In conversation and in less formal writing, people sometimes use or after neither.
For example, they say 'He neither drinks or smokes'. However, in formal writing you should always use nor.
You always put neither immediately in front of the first of the words or expressions that are linked by nor.
Don't put it any earlier in the sentence.
Don't say, for example, 'She neither ate meat nor fish'.
You say 'She ate neither meat nor fish'.
In conversation, people do not usually use neither and nor.
Instead of saying 'Neither the President nor the Vice-President came',
you normally say 'The President didn't come and neither did the Vice-President'.
Margaret didn't talk about her mother and neither did Rosa.
I won't give up, and neither will my colleagues.
Instead of saying 'She ate neither meat nor fish',
you normally say 'She didn't eat meat or fish'.
Instead of saying 'She neither smokes nor drinks',
you say 'She doesn't smoke or drink'.
Karin's from abroad and hasn't any relatives or friends here.
You can't run or climb in shoes like that.
Collins English Dictionary
Usage: A verb following a compound subject that uses neither… should be in the singular if both subjects are in the singular: neither Jack nor John has done the work
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary
usage: When neither, a singular form, is followed by a prepositional phrase with a plural object, there is a tendency, esp. in speech and less formal writing, to use a plural verb and pronoun: Neither of the guards were at their stations.
In edited writing, however, singular verbs and pronouns are more common: Neither of the guards was at his station.
This use of a singular verb and pronoun is usually recommended by usage guides.
Subjects connected by neither…nor take singular verbs and pronouns when both subjects are singular, plural when both are plural.
Usage guides commonly say that when a singular and a plural subject are joined by these correlatives, the subject nearer the verb determines the verb: Neither the mayor nor the demonstrators have yielded. Neither the demonstrators nor the mayor has yielded.
Practice varies, however, and often the presence of one plural subject, no matter what its position, results in a plural verb.
Dictionary of Problem Words and Expressions:
ให้ความหมาย “either” ว่าคือ “one of two”
และว่า “neither” หมายถึง “not one of two”
โดย ที่ “either” จับคู่กับ “or”
และ “neither” จับคู่กับ “nor” เช่น
“EitherSara or I will go, but neither Bill nor Jane will.”
เมื่อใช้ “either” หรือ “neither” อย่างเดียว
ต้องใช้ กริยา เอกพจน์ เช่น
“Either is ready to go with you.”
“Neither is now ready.”
การใช้ “either … or” หรือ “neither … nor” เชื่อมประสาน
กับ “คำ/วลี หรืออนุประโยค” ที่มี มากกว่า สอง
ผู้มีหน้าที่ควบคุมการใช้ บางราย“อนุญาตให้ใช้ได้”
หากแต่ คน ส่วนใหญ่ ไม่เห็นด้วย เช่น
“Either telephone or write”
“Neither Jack nor Jill knows.”
“He is studying mathematics, chemistry, and physics, but he is proficient in none.”
(ที่ไม่น่าจะเลือกใช้ neither)
ในการสร้างประโยค โดยใช้ “either or”และ “neither nor”
จะต้องให้ตาม คำสันธาน เหล่านี้ อย่างเหมาะสม
ด้วย ส่วนของคำพูด หรือโครงสร้าง ที่คล้ายกัน
นั่นคือ ให้เขียนว่า “Either he keeps quiet or he leaves the room.”
มิใช่เขียนว่า “He either keeps quiet or ……...”
