Key Difference

• None is used to mean “not any” or “not a single one” in a broader sense, where the number of items could be more than two.
• Neither is used when specifically referring to two items and means “not one nor the other.”

Detailed Breakdown

1. Using “None”

• Meaning: “None” means “not any” and is often used to refer to an absence in groups of three or more. It can also be used for groups of two, but “neither” is generally preferred in that case.
• Examples:
  • “None of the students finished the test.” (not a single student)
  • “I checked the boxes, and none were empty.” (more than two boxes)
• Usage Tip: “None” can be singular or plural, depending on what it’s referring to:
  • Singular: “None of the milk is left.” (talking about a single item, milk)
  • Plural: “None of the cookies are left.” (talking about multiple cookies)

2. Using “Neither”

• Meaning: “Neither” is used when referring to exactly two items, meaning “not one nor the other.”
• Examples:
  • “Neither option is appealing.” (there are exactly two options)
  • “She invited two friends, but neither could come.” (only two friends)
• Usage Tip: “Neither” is always singular, so we say, “Neither is…” instead of “Neither are…”

Quick Comparison Chart

Practice Time!

Fill in the blanks with “none” or “neither”:

1. There are five chairs, but ______ of them are comfortable.
2. I ordered two shirts, but ______ fit me well.
3. I wanted to read the books, but ______ were available in the library.
4. The students had two questions, but ______ was answered.

Answers:

1. None
2. Neither
3. None
4. Neither

Pro Tip

Remember: Use “none” when talking about three or more items (or sometimes two) and “neither” specifically when you’re talking about exactly two.