Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!)

Literary notes about Neither (AI summary)

The word “neither” is often used in literature as a versatile tool to express negation by linking two or more alternatives and emphasizing their mutual absence or insufficiency. In classical texts such as Plato’s works ([1]) and biblical passages ([2], [3]), “neither” helps underscore absolute or exclusive conditions. It appears in epic poetry and sagas too, as seen in the juxtaposition of incomparable forces in Snorri Sturluson’s verse ([4]) and the balanced contrasts in Jane Austen’s narratives ([5], [6]). Moreover, in works spanning diverse genres—from Jules Verne’s adventure narratives ([7], [8]) to Kant’s philosophical treatises ([9])—the use of “neither” serves to neatly disarm one possibility in favor of affirming what follows, creating rhythm, precision, and clarity in contrast.
  1. Neither can they doubt this.
    — from The Republic of Plato by Plato
  2. And no one knoweth the Son but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal him.
    — from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
  3. Neither become ye idolaters, as some of them, as it is written: The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. 10:8.
    — from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
  4. Neither Thor’s nor Thjalfe’s heart From fear did tremble.
    — from The Younger Edda; Also called Snorre's Edda, or The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson
  5. Neither Mr. Suckling nor me had ever any patience with them; and we used sometimes to say very cutting things!
    — from Emma by Jane Austen
  6. She coloured as she spoke; but neither that, nor any thing else, awakened a suspicion of the truth.
    — from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  7. On this Friday, October 9th, he noted his arrival at Suez, and observed that he had as yet neither gained nor lost.
    — from Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
  8. Neither bricks nor tools are wanting now.
    — from The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne
  9. But to neither of these opinions shall we at present object.
    — from The Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, Scrabble


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Compound Your Joy