TOEIC Decision Point

Both, Either, and Neither: Choose by Two, One, or Zero

Both, either, and neither look easy because they are common words. That is exactly why they become TOEIC Part 5 traps.

Under time pressure, many test-takers choose by feeling. TOEIC wants you to check the situation first: are there two correct choices, one possible choice, or no correct choice?

Core TOEIC rule: Both means two. Either means one of two. Neither means zero of two.

The 7-second choice

Both = two

Use both when the sentence is true for two people, two things, or two choices.

Signal: both reports, both answers, both A and B

Either = one of two

Use either when one choice is possible, acceptable, or available.

Signal: either option, either A or B, either day

Neither = zero of two

Use neither when the sentence says not this one and not the other one.

Signal: neither option, neither answer, neither A nor B

The signal to remember

Do not start by asking, “Which word sounds natural?” Start by counting the result in the sentence.

Both reports were finished yesterday.

Why: two reports were finished.

You may choose either the soup or the salad.

Why: one of two choices is allowed.

Neither explanation made sense.

Why: zero of the two explanations worked.

Neither the manager nor the assistant was available.

Why: not the manager and not the assistant.

What TOEIC wants you to notice

TOEIC often places the answer in a normal business sentence. The key is not the topic. The key is whether the sentence means two, one of two, or zero of two.

Two accepted

Both candidates meet the requirements.

One accepted

Either candidate can attend the meeting.

Zero accepted

Neither candidate is available tomorrow.

Watch the small words

Small nearby words often give the answer away. Look for and, or, nor, not both, two, either option, neither choice, or phrases that show only one choice is possible.

Both Ms. Tanaka and Mr. Lee will attend the conference.

Decision: two people will attend.

You can submit the form either online or by mail.

Decision: one of two methods is acceptable.

Neither the original invoice nor the revised invoice included the order number.

Decision: zero of the two invoices had the required information.

Quick TOEIC check

Choose by checking the number idea first: two, one of two, or zero of two.

1. Both of the reports ___ finished yesterday.
2. You may choose ___ the soup or the salad, but not both.
3. I asked two people for help. ___ of them knew the answer.
4. ___ option is fine for tomorrow’s meeting.
5. ___ the manager nor the assistant was available to answer the question.

The mistake fast readers make

Fast readers often answer from the first word they recognise. But with both, either, and neither, you need to check the number idea before choosing.

Weak choice

“Both, either, and neither are easy, so I can choose by feeling.”

Better choice

“Does this mean two, one of two, or zero of two?”

TOEIC habit

Count the result first. Then check the nearby signal.

Why this mistake returns under pressure

These words are familiar, so they do not feel dangerous. That is why TOEIC can hide the trap in a normal sentence about reports, schedules, meetings, or choices.

One-second tool: Both = two. Either = one of two. Neither = zero of two.

Use small TOEIC mistakes as a diagnostic

If you know these words during study but miss them under time pressure, the problem may not be vocabulary. It may be that you are not checking the number signal before choosing.

My TOEIC Coach helps test-takers notice these small decision habits and build a more reliable approach to Part 5.

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FAQ — TOEIC Trap: Both / Either / Neither Q: What’s the difference between both and either in English? A: “Both” means two things together. “Either” means one of two. Example: “Both answers are correct” vs “You can choose either one.” Q: When do you use either or neither? A: Use “either” when one is possible. Use “neither” when none are possible. Example: “Either option is fine.” “Neither option works.” Q: Is either singular or plural in TOEIC grammar? A: “Either” takes a singular verb. Example: “Either option is correct.” Q: Is neither always negative? A: Yes. “Neither” means no to both options. Example: “Neither answer was right.” Q: Can I say both of them is? A: No. “Both” needs a plural verb. Say: “Both of them are.” Q: What’s the difference between none and neither? A: “Neither” is for two things. “None” is for more than two. TOEIC often traps you here. Q: How do you use both in a TOEIC sentence? A: “Both” joins two subjects or objects. Example: “Both the manager and the client agreed.” Q: What’s a common TOEIC mistake with either/neither? A: Using the wrong verb. “Either” and “neither” take singular verbs. TOEIC tests this often. Q: Is it correct to say either of them are? A: No. It should be “Either of them is.” Q: Can you use neither without ‘nor’? A: Yes. Example: “Neither idea worked.” But you can also use “Neither A nor B.” Q: What’s a TOEIC trick using both/either/neither? A: They all relate to two things. If the question has more than two, none/all should be used. Q: How does TOEIC test both vs either? A: TOEIC gives you two options and tests if you understand the right meaning. It also checks subject-verb agreement. Q: What’s the correct structure: “Both A and B” or “Both A or B”? A: Always “Both A and B.” Q: Should I say “Neither are good” or “Neither is good”? A: Say “Neither is good.” It’s singular. Q: What’s the opposite of either? A: “Neither” is the opposite of “either.” Either = one; neither = none. Q: Can I use either with three choices? A: No. “Either” is only for two. Use “any” for three or more. Q: Which is better for polite offers: both or either? A: “Either” is used for polite choices. Example: “You may take either.” Q: What does TOEIC want me to know about both/either/neither? A: Know how many things are involved, what’s being accepted or rejected, and match it to the correct verb. Q: Are both/either/neither always followed by “of”? A: Not always. “Both” can be used directly: “Both work here.” “Either” and “Neither” can be used alone or with “of.” Q: How can I remember the difference between either and neither? A: “Either = 1 out of 2” (E = One). “Neither = 0 out of 2” (N = None).