neither works

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'neither works' is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that two things have been tried and they both did not work. For example, "I've tried both solutions, but neither works."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Neither works".

The New York Times

Peru has one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America but one in five young people in the county neither works nor studies.

The Guardian

Those are different strategies, but the discussion about which is better or worse is sterile precisely because neither is good and neither works.

The Guardian - Opinion

Severine neither works nor is a mother so her time is her own, no messy play dates or baking cookies or after-school sports benches to warm.

Huffington Post

Neither works nearly as well in smaller ones.The most famous is the "broken windows" or, more crudely, "zero tolerance" approach.

The Economist

Both of my older sisters have worked in the brewery, too, but neither works here right now.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

More than a fifth of 15-to-29-year-olds 15-to-29-year-olds 15-to-29-year-olds 15-to-29-year-olds 15-to-29-year-olds

The Economist

But the Home Office challenged his immigration status so he can neither work nor claim benefits.

Independent

The answers took shape at different rates, and for a while neither worked in the Yankees' favor.

The New York Times - Sports

(Two other, somewhat less restrictive diets are also being prescribed for epileptic children, but neither worked as well for Sam).

The New York Times - Magazine

More than 600,000 people have left the labor force altogether -- neither working nor looking for a job -- since January.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "neither works" when you have explicitly mentioned two options or methods that have been tried and have failed to produce the desired result. It clearly communicates that both attempts were unsuccessful.

Common error

Avoid using "neither works" when you are referring to more than two options. "Neither" is specifically for two items; for more than two, use "none work" instead. For instance, if you tried three different solutions and none were effective, say "none of them work" not "neither works".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither works" functions as a concise way to express that two distinct attempts or methods have been unsuccessful. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates the phrase is perfectly correct. Examples show its use in various contexts, from cooking to problem-solving.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "neither works" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating that two specific attempts or methods have been unsuccessful. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across various contexts, primarily in news and media, as well as scientific and business domains. When using this phrase, ensure that you are only referring to two options; otherwise, consider using "none work" for more than two options. Alternatives include "both are ineffective" or "neither is successful" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both are ineffective

Replaces "neither works" with a more direct statement about the ineffectiveness of two options.

both fail to produce results

Emphasizes the lack of outcome from both attempts.

neither is successful

A more formal way of saying "neither works", highlighting the lack of success.

both are to no avail

Indicates that both attempts were useless or did not achieve the desired outcome.

both prove fruitless

Suggests that both attempts yielded no positive results.

both attempts are unsuccessful

Specifically refers to the attempts made and their failure.

both are unproductive

Focuses on the lack of productivity from both options.

neither achieves the desired outcome

Highlights that the intended result was not achieved by either option.

both are in vain

Emphasizes the wasted effort in both attempts.

both fall short

Indicates that both options did not meet the required standard or expectation.

FAQs

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

You can use "neither works" to indicate that two specific options or methods have been tried but have not produced the desired result. For example, "I tried both the software and the manual approach, but "neither works"".

What's the difference between "neither works" and "none work"?

"Neither works" is used when referring to two specific items or options, while "none work" is used when referring to three or more. For example, if you have two solutions, you'd say "neither works". If you have three or more, you'd say "none work".

What can I say instead of "neither works"?

Alternatives to "neither works" include phrases like "both are ineffective", "both fail to produce results", or "neither is successful", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "neither works"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "neither works" when referring to two specific options or methods. However, ensure that you are indeed only referring to two items; otherwise, "none work" would be more appropriate.