Question

Вставь­те кон­струк­ции either…or или neither…nor. 1. ___ Peter ___ Mary could go to the party. 2. Julian told me that I could ___ have a vacation ___ take a day off. What a pity! 3. He is ­­­___ guilty ___ suspected. 4. ___ my parents ___ my brother take advantage of my leaving. 5. It's nice with ___ yellow ___ red. 6. I can ___ stay ___ leave. 7. I was so shocked that I could ___ laugh ___ cry. 8. ___ Frank ___ his neighbor has the key of the letterbox. We don't know where it is. 9. Don’t worry. You can ask ___ James ___ Diana. 10. Unfortunately, ___ James ___ Diana works here.

Answer 1

1. Either Peter or Mary could go to the party.

The construction "either...or" is used to present two alternatives where only one can be chosen. In this case, it means that either Peter or Mary has the option to go to the party. [[1]]

2. Julian told me that I could either have a vacation or take a day off. What a pity!

The construction "either...or" is used again to present two alternatives. In this case, it means that the speaker has the option to either have a vacation or take a day off. However, the speaker expresses disappointment or regret about not being able to choose both options. [[2]]

3. He is neither guilty nor suspected.

The construction "neither...nor" is used to present two negative alternatives. In this case, it means that the person referred to is not guilty and is also not suspected of any wrongdoing. [[3]]

4. Neither my parents nor my brother take advantage of my leaving.

The construction "neither...nor" is used again to present two negative alternatives. In this case, it means that neither the speaker's parents nor their brother take advantage of the speaker's departure or absence. [[4]]

5. It's nice with either yellow or red.

The construction "either...or" is used to present two positive alternatives. In this case, it means that something (not specified in the question) looks nice with either yellow or red. [[5]]

6. I can either stay or leave.

The construction "either...or" is used once again to present two alternatives. In this case, it means that the speaker has the option to either stay or leave. [[6]]

7. I was so shocked that I could neither laugh nor cry.

The construction "neither...nor" is used to present two negative alternatives. In this case, it means that the speaker was so shocked that they were unable to do either laugh or cry. [[7]]

8. Neither Frank nor his neighbor has the key to the letterbox. We don't know where it is.

The construction "neither...nor" is used again to present two negative alternatives. In this case, it means that neither Frank nor his neighbor has the key to the letterbox, and the speaker does not know where it is. [[8]]

9. Don't worry. You can ask either James or Diana.

The construction "either...or" is used to present two alternatives. In this case, it means that the person being addressed can ask either James or Diana for assistance or information. [[9]]

10. Unfortunately, neither James nor Diana works here.

The construction "neither...nor" is used to present two negative alternatives. In this case, it means that neither James nor Diana is employed or works at the place being referred to. [[10]]