Summary
Troublesome words such as *both*, *each*, *either*, *neither*, *nor* and *only* frequently cause confusion in academic writing. Although they appear simple, they carry grammatical implications that affect agreement, balance, clarity and meaning in formal prose.
This guide explains how these words function grammatically, how to position them correctly in sentences, how to avoid common agreement errors and how to manage potential ambiguity. By understanding their precise roles, writers can construct clearer, more elegant scholarly sentences.
Mastering these small but powerful words strengthens academic style, reduces misinterpretation and supports more effective communication in scientific and scholarly writing.
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How to Use Both, Each, Either, Neither and Only Correctly in Academic Writing
English grammar presents many challenges to scholarly writers, even those who are native speakers of the language. Academic and scientific prose must meet a high standard of clarity, accuracy and correctness, and any grammatical imbalance or misplacement of small structural words can blur meaning or undermine an otherwise strong argument. Among the most deceptively simple yet frequently misused words in English are both, each, either, neither, nor and only. Although small, these words influence sentence structure in ways that can introduce ambiguity or error if not handled carefully.
Because these words often indicate number, person, direction or exclusivity, they play important roles in ensuring logical consistency. They appear regularly in both formal and everyday writing, yet many authors rely on intuition rather than grammatical principle when using them. This article clarifies the correct usage of these troublesome words and shows how purposeful placement contributes to clarity and precision.
1. Understanding “Both” as a Plural Concept
The word both always refers to two—and only two—items, ideas or individuals. Because it represents a plural concept, it requires a plural verb. Writers sometimes use “both” loosely to refer to more than two things, but this is grammatically incorrect. When referring to three or more elements, another quantifier must be chosen, such as “all” or “several.”
In academic writing, “both” is often used for paired items in research contexts. For example, “Both the treatment group and the control group were analysed” uses a plural verb to reflect the dual subjects. Similarly, “Both of the hypotheses are supported by the findings” follows the same rule. The structure is simple, but errors arise when writers treat “both” as a singular influence or when the verb is placed far from the quantifier, obscuring agreement.
In addition to verb agreement, “both” must be placed correctly for balance. It typically precedes the paired elements it governs: “both X and Y.” Misplacing it—e.g., “the models both confirm the hypothesis and support a new interpretation”—can introduce ambiguity unless the sentence clearly balances parallel elements.
2. Using “Each” as a Singular Concept
In contrast to “both,” the word each is singular. Although it refers to individual members of a group, its conceptual emphasis is on singularity—each item taken one at a time. Therefore, “each” requires a singular verb: “Each of the three figures shows something different,” not “each of them are.”
The difficulty arises when “each” is placed after a plural subject. Consider: “The students each write independently.” Here, the verb agrees with the plural subject (“students”), not with “each.” In contrast, “Each student writes independently” requires a singular verb. Thus, the writer must determine whether “each” functions as a modifier of a plural subject or the head of the noun phrase itself.
Academic writers frequently encounter “each” when describing experimental conditions or variables: “Each variable is tested separately,” “Each participant was assigned a task.” In all such cases, the singular verb form is essential for clarity and correctness.
3. Navigating “Either” and “Neither”
The words either and neither typically refer to a choice between two items and, like “each,” are singular concepts. Thus, they also take singular verbs: “Either approach is acceptable,” “Neither option was chosen.” These forms remain singular even when the items compared appear plural in nature: “Neither of the results is statistically significant.”
Writers often stumble when using the structure “neither … nor.” Because the expression is inherently dual, the verb should remain singular: “Neither the table nor the figure was helpful.” Writers sometimes mistakenly substitute “or” for “nor,” but “neither … or” is incorrect in formal English.
The conceptual logic behind the singular verb is that only one of the two elements is being referenced at a time, even when both are present in the sentence. Precision in agreement maintains clarity, especially in data-driven writing where small changes in meaning carry significant interpretive consequences.
4. Achieving Sentence Balance with “Neither,” “Either” and “Both”
In addition to influencing verb forms, these words also shape sentence rhythm and clarity through their placement. They must be positioned so that the parallel elements they govern appear in a balanced and logical order. For example, “The details affect neither him nor her” correctly pairs “him” and “her” in a coordinated structure. However, “The details neither affect him nor her” is incomplete; the logical structure requires repeating the verb (“neither affect him nor affect her”), which becomes unnecessarily wordy.
The same principle applies to “both.” The phrase “The details affect both him and her” is correct, while “The details both affect him and her” can create ambiguity unless rewritten to maintain parallel structure (“both affect him and terrify her”), where “both” governs paired verbs rather than paired objects.
Balancing these structures is especially important in academic writing because clear coordination reflects accurate relational meaning. When examining results, comparing conditions or guiding readers through complex findings, precise structuring enhances readability.
5. Understanding the Placement of “Only”
The word only is deceptively simple but can radically alter meaning depending on its position. Because “only” modifies the word or phrase immediately following it, misplacement can create humorous or confusing sentences. For instance, “Laundry only washed on Fridays” is ambiguous: does it mean that laundry is washed only on Fridays, or that only laundry is washed on Fridays?
Clarity requires placing “only” directly before the word it modifies: • “Only laundry is washed on Fridays.” • “Laundry is washed only on Fridays.”
These variations illustrate the importance of deliberate placement. In academic writing, ambiguity in sentences containing “only” can distort interpretation of data or obscure logical relationships. Writers should examine such sentences during revision to ensure their intended meaning is unmistakable.
Misplacement becomes even more problematic in scientific contexts. Consider: “The intervention only improved sleep quality in older adults.” Does “only” modify “improved,” “sleep quality,” or “older adults”? Each interpretation yields a different conclusion. Revising the sentence to align “only” with the intended meaning avoids misinterpretation.
6. Why These Words Matter in Academic Writing
Although “both,” “each,” “either,” “neither,” “nor” and “only” may appear trivial, they carry heavy grammatical and interpretive weight. Their correct usage ensures subject–verb agreement, parallel structure, logical comparison and unambiguous meaning. For academic readers—editors, reviewers, supervisors and examiners—errors involving these words signal imprecise thinking or editorial carelessness.
In disciplines where logic structures arguments, these words guide the reader’s interpretation of relationships between concepts. In scientific writing, they determine how variables, results and participants are grouped or contrasted. In humanities writing, they influence rhetorical precision. Across all fields, clarity rests on correct usage.
Final Thoughts
Mastering small but influential words such as both, each, either, neither, nor and only is essential for producing polished academic prose. While their rules are straightforward, their misuse often goes unnoticed by the writer but not by the reader. Understanding their grammatical roles and ensuring consistent placement helps eliminate ambiguity and enhances the professionalism of your writing.
For authors seeking expert support in refining clarity, structure or academic tone, our journal article editing service and manuscript editing service can help ensure your writing is polished, consistent and fully publication-ready.
