did not have either

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not have either" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the absence of two options or items in a negative context. Example: "She did not have either the time or the resources to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He later admitted that he did not have either degree, and resigned in early 2006.

The New York Times

In this case, however, the government did not have either defendant on wiretap.

The New York Times

The Power finally scored in their playoff meeting, but not enough, losing 3-2; Milbrett did not have either goal.

The New York Times - Sports

The defendant's court-appointed lawyers did not have either testify and did not present any defense witnesses.

The New York Times

There were only two break points, and Tsonga, the flashy Frenchman, did not have either of them.

The New York Times - Sports

Dr Kornfeld did not have either, said Ruth Martinez, executive director of the Minnesota board of medical practice.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

My parents didn't have either..."...

The Guardian - Books

"We didn't have either of those before".

The New York Times

Many of the occupiers didn't have either of those.

Los Angeles Times

But he left empty-handed after an employee told him the store didn't have either.

Los Angeles Times

If a solution does not have either of these properties, it is called unstable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not have either", ensure that you are referring to two specific items or options previously mentioned in the context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "did not have either" when referring to more than two options. If there are more than two, use a different phrasing, such as "did not have any of these" or "lacked all of them".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not have either" functions as a negative coordinating conjunction phrase, indicating the absence of two specified items or conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

24%

News & Media

64%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not have either" serves as a negative coordinating conjunction phrase, effectively indicating the absence of two specific items or conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across diverse contexts. While versatile, it is crucial to ensure that it refers to two, and only two, distinct elements to maintain clarity. This phrase is found in both formal writing and everyday speech, making it a valuable tool for expressing negation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had neither

Shorter, more direct way of saying the same thing, implying the subject did not possess either option.

lacked both

Emphasizes the absence of both items more directly.

possessed neither

A more formal way of stating the absence of both.

didn't possess either

A less formal version of 'possessed neither'.

was missing both

Focuses on the absence or lack of both items.

did not include either

Highlights the exclusion of both items.

failed to have either

Highlights a failure or inability to possess either item.

was without both

Emphasizes a state of being without both items.

did not incorporate either

Focuses on the exclusion of both items from a set or design.

was devoid of both

A more emphatic way of saying something lacks both items.

FAQs

How can I use "did not have either" in a sentence?

Use "did not have either" to indicate the absence of two specific things, for example, "The restaurant did not have either soup or salad."

What's a simpler way to express "did not have either"?

You can use "had neither" as a more concise alternative.

Is it correct to say "didn't have neither"?

No, "didn't have neither" is a double negative and grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "did not have either" or "had neither".

What's the difference between "did not have either" and "did not have any"?

"Did not have either" is used when referring to two specific options, while "did not have any" is used when referring to a group of more than two options or an unspecified amount. For example, "He did not have either a pen or a pencil" vs. "He did not have any money".