用於一對物體的分配詞

分配限定詞 both、either 和 neither 論及的是一對物體的分配。一般來說,這些字詞不能用來談論任何超過兩個個體的群體,也不能用來指不定大小的群體,只能用來論及可數名詞。

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both 的用法

both 同時指一對事物,相當於「其一和另一」。both 可以接複數名詞,或者接 of +(定冠詞)+ 複數名詞。當 both 後面要接一個複數代名詞時,一定要在中間加上 of 來隔開。both 不能接單數名詞,因為這個分配詞涉及的是兩個物體。

舉例
  • Both children were born in Italy.
  • Both the children were born in Italy.
  • Both of the children were born in Italy.
  • Both my parents have fair hair.
  • Both of my parents have fair hair.
  • Both of us like skiing.
  • I told both of them to calm down.

either 的用法

either 用於肯定句。當單獨使用時,指的是兩者整體,意思相當於「其一或另一」。由於 either 指的只是兩者之間的其中一者,就必須接單數名詞。但如果後面接了 of,則可以接複數名詞或複數代名詞。

舉例
  • I can stay at either hotel.
  • Either day is fine for me.
  • There are two chairs here. You can take either of them.
  • Either of you can come.
  • Either of the hotels will be fine.
  • I can eat either of the salads.

當依次談到兩件事物,就可以用 either... or... 的句型。這種結構並不會改變意思,但在此種情況下,either 的作用就不是分配詞,而是連接詞。

舉例
  • You can have either ice cream or chocolate cake.
  • I will come on either Thursday or Friday.
  • You can either come inside or put on your raincoat.

neither 的用法

neither 用於否定句。當單獨使用時,指的是兩者整體,意思相當於「不是其中一個也不是另外一個」。由於 neither 指的只是兩者之間的其中一者,因此必須接單數名詞。但如果後面接了 of,就可以接複數名詞或複數代名詞。

舉例
  • Neither chair is any good.
  • Neither brother came.
  • Which bag do you want? Neither of them.
  • Neither of us were on time.
  • I think neither of these dresses fits me.
  • Neither of the children wanted to go.

當依次談到兩個事物時,就可以用 neither... nor... 的句型。這種結構並不會改變意思,但在此種情況下,neither 的作用就不是分配詞,而是連接詞。

舉例
  • You can have neither cookies nor candy.
  • It is neither raining nor snowing.
  • She is neither tall nor short.
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