not either of them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not either of them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that neither of two options or individuals is applicable or relevant in a given context. Example: "When it comes to choosing a leader, I believe that not either of them is suitable for the role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As he fixes her shoe, their conversation turns to whether or not either of them would want children.

Huffington Post

More importantly, Green and Colbert had a bit of a stand-off over whether or not either of them is cult leader.

Huffington Post

I caught up with Williams to talk about what's next for Jackson and Kepner, and whether or not either of them can move past what happened.

Huffington Post

Again, I agree with Betts that Michelle Obama is a role model, but whether or not either of them considers herself a feminist, we are still living in a time when feminism is alive and well.

Huffington Post

Not either of them.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They, understandably, believed that there were two governing parties in Britain, and the Lib Dems weren't either of them.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm not either one of them.

The New Yorker

Which has not stopped either of them from adding to the load.

The Guardian - Sport

But dating did not interest either of them at that point.

The New York Times

"She wasn't dating either of them," a supposed insider told the website.

Huffington Post

They were not good talkers, either of them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While grammatically correct, "not either of them" might sound slightly less formal than "neither of them", especially in business or academic contexts. Evaluate the audience and writing style.

Common error

Avoid using "not either of them" when referring to more than two options. The phrase is specifically designed to negate only two possibilities. For larger groups, use "not any of them" or "none of them" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not either of them" functions as a negative determiner phrase. It serves to negate or exclude both of the specified entities or options. As indicated by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable expression, although alternative phrasing may be more common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not either of them" is a grammatically correct but less common alternative to "neither of them". According to Ludwig, it is a usable expression for indicating that neither of two specific options or individuals are applicable. While predominantly found in News & Media contexts, its register is generally neutral. Consider using more common alternatives like ""neither of them"" for increased clarity and formality in writing. Ensure that the context clearly defines the two options being referred to when using "not either of them" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neither of them

A more concise and common alternative, directly expressing that neither option is applicable.

not one of them

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

none of them

Indicates that zero items or individuals from the group fulfill a certain condition.

not any of them

Similar to "not one of them", highlighting that no member of the group is included.

not a single one of them

Strongly emphasizes the exclusion of every individual member from the group.

not even one of them

Highlights the unexpected absence of even a single member that meets a certain criterion.

not either one

Focuses on the exclusion of both options, specifically emphasizing the 'one' element.

not the one or the other

More formal and emphatic, indicating the exclusion of both specified options.

not any of those

Similar to "not any of them" but referring to a specific set or group.

not in either case

Indicates that a particular condition or outcome does not occur in either of the two scenarios being considered.

FAQs

How can I use "not either of them" in a sentence?

The phrase "not either of them" is used to indicate that neither of two specific options or people are applicable or chosen. For example: "I asked if John or Mary were coming, but "not either of them" showed up."

Is "not either of them" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not either of them" is grammatically correct, although "neither of them" is often considered more concise and stylistically preferred. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

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

While both phrases express a negative condition for two options, "neither of them" is generally more formal and common. "Not either of them" can be used, but it might sound slightly less polished depending on the context.

When should I use "not any of them" instead of "not either of them"?

Use "not any of them" when you are referring to more than two options or individuals. "Not either of them" is strictly for use when discussing only two possibilities. For example, if you are talking about a group of three people, "not any of them" is the correct choice.