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A sentence which contains the word either, in which either does not occur at thebeginning of a clause, can be changed to express a negative meaning either by using theword not, or by changing either to neither.e.g. Affirmative Meaning: You may borrow either of the books.Negative Meaning: You may not borrow either of the books.Negative Meaning: You may borrow neither of the books.Affirmative Meaning: I might give the message to either boy.Negative Meaning: I might not give the message to either boy.Negative Meaning: I might give the message to neither boy.It should be noted that in modern English, the determiner neither is most often usedonly at the beginning of a clause. Otherwise, the meaning of neither is usuallyexpressed by the combination not ... either.In addition to being used as determiners, the words both, either and neither can alsobe used as conjunctions. Conj unctions will be discussed in Chapter 28.2. Determiners used as singular or plural pronounsIn formal English, the pronouns another, each, either, neither and one always takesi ngu lar verbs.e.g. Each of the children wants to win the prize.Either of the alternatives is acceptable.Neither of the books has good illustrations.Every one of the students was ready on time.In these examples, the singular verbs wants, is, has, and was are used with thepronouns each, either, neither and one.In informal English, plural verbs are sometimes used with pronouns such as each, eitherand neither.e.g. Neither of the books have good illustrations.However, this use of the plural verb is considered to be grammatically incorrect informal English.It should also be noted that in formal English, when the words another, each, every,either, neither and one are used in combination with personal pronouns or possessiveadjectives, singular forms are always used. As mentioned previously, in formal English,the adjective his or the phrase his or her may be used when referring to a groupcontaining both male and female members.e.g. Each of the children waited impatiently for his turn.Every student raised his or her hand.Neither of the girls has finished her homework.Either of the hotels will offer you its best room .In these examples, each, every, neither and either are used in combination with thesi ngular forms his, his or her, her and its.