i know neither

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I know neither" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to express that you do not have knowledge of either of two options. For example, "I don't watch TV shows on either cable or streaming services; I know neither."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

As far as I know, neither of them has ever skied cross-country again.

The New York Times - Arts

As for Mr. Whitford and Mr. Schiff, Mr. Salter said, "I know neither actor, but I assume they were acting".

The New York Times

I know neither of them personally, but the image that forms itself of Harmison is of a wry, philosophical, kind of person; dry, English, definitely north country.

The Guardian - Sport

I know neither will demur if I recall their occasionally disparaging view of what George summed up this morning as the tabloids from Down Below.

The Guardian

If I happened to be in the right part of the state at the appropriate time, I know I would attend, say, the North Louisiana Cotton Festival and Fair at Bastrop, or even the Louisiana Brimstone Fiesta at Sulphur — although, as far as I know, neither of the products celebrated in those places is edible.

The New Yorker

Because that stuff in George Square, I know neither of us are that.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

I knew neither of us would sleep that night and possibly many more nights.

The New York Times

Since I knew neither, I hoped to talk to an operator.

The New York Times

LESLIE DIMMLING Garden City, N.Y., Oct. 15, 2012 To the Editor: I, too, was in Nicholas D. Kristof's class of 1982 at Harvard University and was saddened to hear about Scott Androes's health care crisis with metastatic prostate cancer (though I knew neither of them in college).

The New York Times

I knew neither the film nor the director's name, and was embarrassed — with good reason.

The New Yorker

Mostly, I felt silly for this reaction, which I was convinced was over the top, because I knew neither had intended to make me feel that way.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I know neither", ensure that the sentence clearly implies two options or subjects being referred to. Using "neither" implies a choice or set of two.

Common error

Avoid using "neither" when only one subject is being discussed. "Neither" indicates a lack of knowledge or preference for two options, not one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I know neither" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of knowledge or familiarity with two specific items or options. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and commonly used expression. Examples show it used to express a lack of knowledge regarding people, places, or things.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I know neither" is a grammatically correct and accepted way to express a lack of knowledge about two specific items or options. As Ludwig AI explains, it's useful for indicating unfamiliarity and setting expectations in a range of contexts. While not extremely frequent, its usage is consistent across various reliable sources, primarily within the news and media. When using the phrase, remember that "neither" requires two and only two subjects being referred to. More formal or casual alternatives exist, such as "I am unacquainted with both" or "I don't know either one", respectively, depending on the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I don't know either one

A more direct and informal way of expressing the same meaning.

I have no idea about either

A common and less formal way to indicate a lack of knowledge.

I know nothing of either

Similar meaning, but can be slightly more emphatic or dramatic.

I have no knowledge of either

Highlights the absence of knowledge regarding both options.

I am not familiar with either

Emphasizes lack of familiarity instead of directly stating a lack of knowledge.

I'm not aware of either

Focuses on a lack of awareness, implying a lack of information.

I am unacquainted with both

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey a lack of familiarity.

I haven't a clue about either

Uses a more idiomatic expression to show a complete lack of understanding.

I'm in the dark about both

Emphasizes being uninformed or unaware of both subjects.

I'm ignorant of both

A stronger, more direct way of admitting a lack of knowledge; can sometimes sound negative.

FAQs

How can I use "I know neither" in a sentence?

You can use "I know neither" to express a lack of knowledge about two specific options. For example, "I don't watch TV shows on either cable or streaming services; "I know neither".

What's a more formal alternative to "I know neither"?

A more formal alternative would be "I am unacquainted with both" or "I have no knowledge of either". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What can I say instead of "I know neither" in casual conversation?

In casual conversation, you could say "I don't know either one" or "I have no idea about either". These are less formal and more conversational.

Is it correct to use "I know neither" when referring to more than two options?

No, "neither" is used to refer to two options. If you're referring to more than two, you should use "none" or "I don't know any of them".