Pet peeve of the day:
people who don't know the difference between either and neither.
It isn't difficult!
Either goes with the negative verb: "I can't either." Neither goes with the affirmative verb: "Neither can I." Can't is negative, can is affirmative.
*cries out in anguish*
cakebottom posted on Nov 11, 2007
| views: 211
Comments
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Twylarants said on Nov 11, 2007....
I found another grammar freak...I'm so happy!
No, seriously, I just found you and read all your posts.
"Fictional Soulcasters" cracked me up.
Hi!
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Zayda said on Nov 11, 2007....
Actually, either can be used with an affirmative verb:
You may have either a slice of cake or a slice of pie.
I can either run errands now or work on my project.
(But the examples you gave are correct in that either does go with can't in that particular sentence construction and can't goes with can.)
The chief reason that people misuse either and neither is that they don't understand that the terms actually mean two different things.
Either means "one or the other" (but in some cases it can mean both).
Neither, on the other hand, is the negative term meaning "none of them".
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crybabylu said on Nov 12, 2007....
I enjoy good grammar too. -
silverwhisper said on Nov 12, 2007....
cb, i don't think i've ever encountered anyone who doesn't understand the correct usage of those words!
ed -
cakebottom said on Nov 12, 2007....
Twylarants- Hi! I'm glad you find me amusing. :P No really, that made my day.
Zayda- I was trying to think of something incredibly easy to explain to the person who was causing me distress though, and that seemed the simplest way, as can/can't was the verb they were using. But you're right, and I should include that in my explanation, so thank you.
crybabylu- I'm glad
Ed- consider yourself lucky.