neither of those

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neither of those" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to mean "not either one of those," and it is typically used when referring to two or more things. For example: "I don't like either of these books; neither of those seems interesting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Borrowing accomplishes neither of those goals.

The New York Times

Mr. Silver is neither of those.

The New York Times

I'm neither of those.

TechCrunch

I'm neither of those things.

Forbes

Or, neither of those things.

Huffington Post

Neither of those.

The New York Times

"Neither of those is true.

The New York Times

This is neither of those.

The New York Times

Neither of those devices were selling well.

The New York Times

Neither of those sentences is true.

The New Yorker

I was neither of those things".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "neither of those" when you have presented two distinct options and want to indicate that neither is suitable or correct in a given context. Make sure the items you're referring to are clearly defined in the preceding text.

Common error

Avoid using "neither of those" when referring to more than two items. "None of these" is the appropriate choice in such cases. "Neither" specifically addresses two options, while "none" is used for three or more.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither of those" functions as a pronoun phrase, specifically used to negate two previously mentioned items or options. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It serves to indicate that not either of the two options is valid or applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "neither of those" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to negate two previously mentioned items or options. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys that neither of the two is applicable or correct. While versatile across various contexts, it's important to use "neither of those" only when referring to two items, opting for "none of these" when more than two items are involved. The phrase is found frequently in news and media, encyclopedias and academic contexts, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not either of those

More explicit and less idiomatic way of expressing the same meaning.

neither one

More informal and direct way of saying "neither of those".

none of them

Refers to more than two items, while "neither of those" typically refers to two.

not any of those

Similar to "none of them" but can also apply to two items.

not one of those

Emphasizes that not even a single one from the group is applicable.

not a single one of those

Strongly emphasizes that none of the items are applicable.

not this nor that

Emphasizes the negation of two specific options.

no, those aren't it

Informal rejection of previously mentioned options.

that's not it

Indicates a previously suggested option is incorrect.

not in that category

Indicates something doesn't belong to a specific set.

FAQs

How do I use "neither of those" in a sentence?

Use "neither of those" to indicate that two previously mentioned options or items are not applicable or correct. For example, "I offered him tea or coffee, but he wanted "neither of those"".

What is the difference between "neither of those" and "none of those"?

"Neither of those" refers specifically to two items, indicating that neither is applicable. "None of those", on the other hand, refers to three or more items, meaning not one of them is applicable.

Can I use "either of those" instead of "neither of those"?

No, "either of those" has a different meaning. "Either of those" indicates that one of two options is possible or acceptable, whereas "neither of those" indicates that neither is acceptable.

What are some alternatives to using "neither of those"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "not either of those", "not one of those", or "none of them" (if referring to more than two items).