Both vs Either vs Neither: Choose Two, One of Two, or Zero
In TOEIC Part 5, both, either, and neither often appear in sentences about two offices, two dates, two applicants, two options, or two possible actions.
The fast choice is not “What is the grammar name?” The fast choice is: does the sentence mean two, one of the two, or zero?
The 7-second choice
First confirm that the sentence is dealing with two choices, people, places, or actions.
Both
The sentence includes the two together: both branches, both candidates, both reports.
Either
One choice is enough, and it can be the first or the second: either date, either route, either option.
Neither
The sentence rejects the first and the second: neither proposal, neither office, neither applicant.
The signal to remember
This is the MTC move. Build a quick picture of two choices and count how many remain possible.
The first room and the second room are available. Choose both.
One room is enough, and either choice works. Choose either.
The first room does not work, and the second room does not work. Choose neither.
What TOEIC wants you to notice
TOEIC often uses this choice when two dates, locations, products, schedules, applicants, suppliers, or solutions are compared.
The sentence includes the two days.
One day is enough, and either choice is possible.
The sentence rejects the two days.
Watch the joining words
A small word later in the sentence often confirms the answer.
Both ... and
Both the manager and the assistant will attend.
Either ... or
Either the manager or the assistant will attend.
Neither ... nor
Neither the manager nor the assistant will attend.
Under pressure, do not read these as three separate vocabulary items. See one decision: two, one, or zero?
Quick TOEIC check
Choose first. Then read the feedback. Use the one-second check: two accepted, one accepted, or zero accepted?
1. ___ of the two conference rooms is suitable, so you may reserve the one you prefer.
2. ___ candidates have the experience required for the position.
3. ___ proposal meets the current budget limit, so the team must prepare a new plan.
4. The training session can be held on ___ Tuesday or Thursday.
The mistake fast readers make
Fast readers often focus on the two items but fail to check how many of them the sentence accepts.
Weak choice
See two items and choose the option that looks most familiar.
Better choice
Count the result: two accepted, one accepted, or zero accepted.
Final check
Look for and, or, or nor to confirm the decision.
Why this mistake returns under pressure
Japanese can express these choices without always using the same fixed three-way pattern. In English, the test-taker must quickly connect the meaning to the correct signal.
Do not translate each option separately. Build one picture of two choices and count how many remain possible.
Continue building fast quantity decisions
These related lessons also train test-takers to see a small numerical relationship without translating the entire sentence.
Use small TOEIC mistakes as a diagnostic
If you understand the answer during review but miss it under time pressure, the problem may be your decision pattern rather than the words alone.
Start with the Learning Block Diagnostic to see whether your mistakes connect to Speed Trap, Memoriser, Over Thinker, Translator, Passive Listener, or Burnout.
Continue reading
Use these pages to turn small TOEIC mistakes into faster decisions and better review.