is neither

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is neither" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something does not belong to either of two categories or options being discussed. Example: "The solution is neither effective nor efficient, leading to further complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Wilson's answer is, "Neither".

The New York Times - Books

Bicycling is neither.

The New Yorker

Ms. Lipson is neither.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr Zoellick is neither.

The Economist

The answer is neither.

The New York Times - Health

This is neither.

The New York Times

Johnson is neither.

The New Yorker

It is neither.

The New York Times - Books

Votorantim is neither.

The Economist

Currently, there is neither.

The Guardian - Business

But it is neither.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is neither" to clearly indicate that something does not belong to either of two categories or options being discussed. This construction is concise and effective for expressing mutual exclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "is neither" without its corresponding "nor". The structure "neither...nor" is a correlative conjunction and requires both parts for grammatical correctness. For example, use "It is neither effective nor efficient" instead of "It is neither effective."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is neither" functions as a negative correlative conjunction, typically followed by "nor". It serves to exclude a subject from two stated possibilities, indicating that it does not belong to either category. Ludwig's examples illustrate this use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is neither" functions as a negative correlative conjunction, denying two possibilities for a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media. Remember to pair "neither" with "nor" for proper grammatical structure. While "is neither" can fit in many registers, it tends toward neutral to formal writing, providing a clear and precise way to exclude options. Pay attention to context, avoid omitting the required "nor", and choose this phrase for its clarity in expressing mutual exclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not either

Direct alternative using "not" instead of "neither".

is not one

Focuses on the singular aspect of not belonging to a group.

is not the former nor the latter

Explicitly denies both options, emphasizing exclusion.

is not this nor that

Emphasizes the exclusion of two specific items or concepts.

does not fall into either category

Highlights that the subject doesn't fit into either of two groups.

fails to be either

Emphasizes a lack of fulfillment of either condition.

is outside of both

Indicates a position or state that is not within two boundaries.

is distinct from both

Highlights the separateness of the subject from two other things.

is unrelated to either

Indicates a lack of connection or relevance to two things.

is divorced from both

Suggests a complete separation from two things.

FAQs

How do I use "is neither" in a sentence?

Use "is neither" to show that something does not belong to two options. For example, "The book "is neither" exciting nor original".

What phrases can I use instead of "is neither"?

Alternatives include "is not either", "is not one", or specifying what it isn't, such as "It is not A, and it is not B".

Is it correct to say "It is neither" without a "nor"?

While grammatically incomplete, it is sometimes used colloquially. However, for formal writing, always complete the "neither...nor" construction. For example, "It "is neither" good nor bad" is preferable to "It "is neither"".

What's the difference between "is neither" and "is not either"?

"Is neither" is more formal and emphatic. "Is not either" is a more direct negation, while "is neither" implies a choice or dichotomy from which something is excluded.