■both, either, neither 這三個(gè)不定代詞都用來(lái)談?wù)搩烧?,其中both 意為“(兩者)都”, either意為“(兩者中)任意一個(gè)”,neither 意為“(兩者)都不”。若要指三者或三者以上,分別用 all 意為“(三者)都”,any 意為“(三者中)任何一個(gè)”,none 意為“(三者)都不”等。比較:
He has two sons; both of them are clever.
He has three sons; all of them are clever.
He has two sons; either of them is clever.
He has three sons; any of them is clever.
He has two sons; neither of them is clever.
He has three sons; none of them are clever.
■這三個(gè)表示“兩者”的不定代詞除用作代詞,還可用作形容詞。注意,用作形容詞時(shí),both 后接復(fù)數(shù)名詞,而 either 和 neither 之后要接單數(shù)可數(shù)名詞。如:
Both of the brothers are here. / Both brothers are here. 兄弟倆都在這兒。
Either of the books will do. / Either book will do. 兩本書(shū)中哪一本都行。
Neither of the stories is interesting. / Neither story is interesting. 兩個(gè)故事都沒(méi)有趣。
注:不定代詞 both, either, neither 用作主語(yǔ)時(shí),both 之后的謂語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞總是復(fù)數(shù),either 和 neither 后的謂語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞通常用單數(shù)。
■這三個(gè)詞都可用作連詞,但搭配和意義各不相同??偟恼f(shuō)來(lái),要注意它們應(yīng)連接兩個(gè)平行對(duì)等的句子成分(即同為兩個(gè)主語(yǔ)、謂語(yǔ)、賓語(yǔ)、狀語(yǔ)等):
both…and… 表示兩者兼有,其意為“……和……”。如:
She was both tired and hungry. 她又累又餓。
He speaks both English and French. 他既說(shuō)英語(yǔ)又說(shuō)法語(yǔ)。
either…or… 表示兩者或兩種可能性中任擇其一,其意為“要么……要么”“或者……或者……”。如:
He must be either mad or drunk. 他不是瘋了就是醉了。
You can either write or phone to request a copy. 你可以寫信可打電話來(lái)索取一本。
neither…nor… 表示兩者都否定,其意為“既不……也不……”。如:
It’s neither cold nor hot. 天氣既不冷也不熱。
He neither knows or cares what happened. 他對(duì)所發(fā)生的事既不知道也不關(guān)心。
注:以上連詞連接主語(yǔ)時(shí),both…and…一般只與復(fù)數(shù)謂語(yǔ)連用,either…or…和 neither…nor… 則通常根據(jù)就近原則,要求謂語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞與最鄰近主語(yǔ)的人稱、數(shù)保持一致。如:
Either you or I am wrong. 不是你錯(cuò)就是我錯(cuò)。
Neither he nor she was at home. 他和她都不在家。
■注意下面兩組同義句:
兩邊都有商店。
正:There are shops on both sides.
正:There are shops on either side.
兩個(gè)我都不要。
正:I want neither of them.
正:I don’t want either of them.