Which of these answers is correct?
Which way did you go the first one or the second one?
A) I went neither way
B) I didn't go either way
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Both are fine grammatically, but A is now rather antiquated. I think it sounds rather unnatural nowadays. The difference sounds (to me) the same as the difference between: A) I read not a book, but a magazine. B) I didn't read a book; I read a magazine. A is old-fashioned and obsolete (or very nearly).– BillyCommented Sep 17, 2012 at 7:42
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2Neither one is wrong; either one could be used.– J.R.Commented Sep 17, 2012 at 8:02
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I'd rather say A than B, myself. Or even, "Neither: I went via Timbuktu" (or wherever).– Andrew Leach ♦Commented Sep 17, 2012 at 8:03
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1 Answer
Both are fine grammatically, but A is now rather antiquated. I think it sounds rather unnatural nowadays.
(A comment from Billy 2 hours ago)
Some words are used much more often than others. 'Neither' is a word that is not used very often.
"Neither here nor there"
It is the difference between formal and informal English. I think that 'neither' is rather a formal word.
This is a clever formulation of the difference between the two words:
Neither one is wrong; either one could be used. (Comment by J.R.)
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