英语中有三个不定代词,它们只用于两者,不用于表示三者。这三个不定代词是 both, either, neither。这三个不定代词在中考英语考题中经常被考查到,且很容易出错,所以同学们应引起高度注意。 ■both, either, neither 这三个不定代词都用来谈论两者,其中both 意为“(两者)都”, either意为“(两者中)任意一个”,neither 意为“(两者)都不”。若要指三者或三者以上,分别用 all 意为“(三者)都”,any 意为“(三者中)任何一个”,none 意为“(三者)都不”等。比较:http://yingyu.chazidian.com 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. ■这三个表示“两者”的不定代词除用作代词,还可用作形容词。注意,用作形容词时,both 后接复数名词,而 either 和 neither 之后要接单数可数名词。如: Both of the brothers are here. / Both brothers are here. 兄弟俩都在这儿。 Either of the books will do. / Either book will do. 两本书中哪一本都行。 Neither of the stories is interesting. / Neither story is interesting. 两个故事都没有趣。 注:不定代词 both, either, neither 用作主语时,both 之后的谓语动词总是复数,either 和 neither 后的谓语动词通常用单数。 ■这三个词都可用作连词,但搭配和意义各不相同。总的说来,要注意它们应连接两个平行对等的句子成分(即同为两个主语、谓语、宾语、状语等): both…and… 表示两者兼有,其意为“……和……”。如: She was both tired and hungry. 她又累又饿。 He speaks both English and French. 他既说英语又说法语。 either…or… 表示两者或两种可能性中任择其一,其意为“要么……要么”“或者……或者……”。如: He must be either mad or drunk. 他不是疯了就是醉了。 You can either write or phone to request a copy. 你可以写信可打电话来索取一本。 neither…nor… 表示两者都否定,其意为“既不……也不……”。如: It’s neither cold nor hot. 天气既不冷也不热。 He neither knows or cares what happened. 他对所发生的事既不知道也不关心。 注:以上连词连接主语时,both…and…一般只与复数谓语连用,either…or…和 neither…nor… 则通常根据就近原则,要求谓语动词与最邻近主语的人称、数保持一致。如: Either you or I am wrong. 不是你错就是我错。 Neither he nor she was at home. 他和她都不在家。 ■注意下面两组同义句: 两边都有商店。 正:There are shops on both sides. 正:There are shops on either side. 两个我都不要。 正:I want neither of them. 正:I don’t want either of them.