Learning English: any, either and neither?

Question

Hi everybody, I have another question to you. We have these words: any, neither and either.

I know that "either and neither" are used when using two options, but: can I use any to deny when I refer to two options?

For example:

I have two keys, but they are useless, I would say:

I can use neither

I can't use either

I can't use any - (is it correct?)

Another question: should I write "one" to substantivize either or neither?

For example:

I can use neither one

I can't use either one

Greetings, your help is very valuable.

Answer 1

In the first example only 'I can't use either' is correct.

In the second example only 'I can't use either one' is correct, though you could just say 'I can't use either'.

Answer 2

Everything there was correct :)

Answer 3

I have two keys, but they are useless, I would say:

I can use neither \

                          either of these phrases would be correct

I can't use either /

I can't use any - This would be correct only if you had more than two keys.

Either of these two phrases is correct.

I can use neither one

I can't use either one

Answer 4

for the first statement- "i can't use either" is correct

for the second statement- i would probably say, "i can't use either one.", if you HAD to use the word one, if not just say, i can't use either one.

the difference between either, neither and any is...

either is like an option or possibility

neither is excluding an option or possibility

any is saying like you have MANY options and possibilities, it is not specific

hope i helped!!

Answer 5

You should only say 'I can't use any' when you're talking about 3 or more keys

When  writing you add 'one' to either (I can't use either one) but you don't add 'one' to neither (I can use neither)

Answer 6

To further other answers, this is possibly a good way to remember it;

'Neither' is negative, you need a positive to balance it out (I can use neither)

'Either' is positive, you need a negative to balance it out (I can't use either)

'Any' is for multiple things.

Answer 7

" I have two keys , they are both useless, I can't use either? " (conversationally that is fine although in written you may want to say "I can't use either one of them" )