neither options

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neither options" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when two possibilities have been offered and you wish to reject them both. For example, "Given the cost and time commitment, neither options is feasible for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human Resources for Health

BMC Health Services Research

The New Yorker

The New York Times

University of California, Berkeley

The Washington Post

Harvard Business Review

The Economist

The Guardian

Independent

Cornell University

Forbes

Science Magazine

Johns Hopkins University

SEP

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Some researchers have argued that having "opt-out" or "neither" options is more realistic [ 26, 58].

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In each choice task, respondents had to choose between two treatment options and a neither option.

BMC Health Services Research

Neither option happened.

The New Yorker

Neither option seems appealing.

The New York Times

Neither option was cheap.

University of California, Berkeley

Neither option is acceptable.

The New York Times

Neither option felt right.

The Washington Post

Neither option ever works.

Harvard Business Review

Neither option is intrinsically superior.

The New York Times

Neither option appeals to Congress.

The Economist

Neither option appealed to O'Neal.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "neither options", ensure the context clearly establishes the two choices being rejected, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "neither options" when more than two options are available. In such cases, use phrases like "none of the options" or "no option". Using "neither" implies there are only two possibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither options" functions as a conjunction phrase, expressing the rejection of two previously mentioned alternatives. This usage is supported by examples in Ludwig, where the phrase consistently conveys this meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "neither options" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the rejection of two specific choices. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and business communication. While it is crucial to limit its use to situations involving only two options, alternatives like "none of the options" can be employed when dealing with more than two. With its clear and concise meaning, "neither options" serves as a valuable tool for expressing one's stance in a variety of settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

none of the alternatives

More formal and emphasizes that all alternatives are unsuitable.

no option is suitable

Focuses on the suitability of the options rather than rejecting them directly.

both choices are unacceptable

Highlights the unacceptability of the choices.

either choice is not viable

Emphasizes the lack of viability rather than a direct rejection.

both possibilities are ruled out

Highlights the act of eliminating the possibilities.

no alternative is acceptable

Stresses the unacceptability of any available alternative.

both are undesirable

Focuses on the negative aspect of both options.

reject both alternatives

Emphasizes the action of rejecting the choices.

I choose neither

Expresses a personal choice to reject both options.

both options are off the table

Idiomatic expression indicating that both options are no longer being considered.

FAQs

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

Use "neither options" to indicate that you are rejecting two specific choices that have already been presented. For example: "We could either invest in stocks or bonds, but "neither options" seems appealing right now."

What can I say instead of "neither options"?

You can use alternatives such as "none of the alternatives", "no option is suitable", or "both choices are unacceptable" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "neither option is" instead of "neither options are"?

While "neither options" is commonly used, grammatically, "neither option is" is also correct, but may sound more formal. However, "neither options are" emphasizes that two distinct options are being considered.

When should I use "none of the options" instead of "neither options"?

Use "none of the options" when referring to more than two choices. "Neither options" is specifically for when there are only two possibilities under consideration.