Neither

Question

Hi,is the word "neither" correct in this sentence?"The coffee machine is not included in the offer. I checked the contract for year 2011 and I found out that neither there was the coffee machine included"Hmmmmmm it souds so strange :-(( please correct that sentence, I cannot do it by my own :-(ThanksPAMELA

Supanova7 · Accepted Answer

Neither should not be used in this sentence.

The coffee machine is not included in the offer. I checked the contract for 2011 and found out that the coffee machine was not included.

A more complicated & better word to use instead of found out is ascertained.

Verb:

Find (something) out for certain; make sure of: "ascertain the cause of the accident".

Also, to write was not included is OK (nothing wrong with it), but based on what's been written in your first sentence, it's better to replace it with was/is not to be included.

Refer to this link for using either......or and neither....nor.

http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/either_or_neither_nor_double_negative.htm

Pamela81 · Answer

Hi,
thank you for the reply.

I understand all said but still about doubt remains:

"The coffe machine is not included in the offer, then I checked the contract for 2011 and ascertained that it was not included (sorry but I don´t get why should I use "was not to be included".)

Could I say that sentence in a different way like:

"Neither in our actual offer for 2012 nor in the offer for 2011 the coffe machine was included" ??

Please specify this, it is very important for me

Thanks!!

Pamela

Supanova7 · Answer

Sorry for the delay in replying. I didn't look at the forum yesterday.

The reason I mentioned to use the word ascertained was simply to replace found out with it ;

You can use was not to be included.

To use neither& nor in these 2 sentences, I'd write almost as you have:
''Neither in our actual offer for 2012, nor in the 2011 offer, was the coffee machine included.''

Pamela81 · Answer

Hi,
don´t worry for the late reply :-)

Ok, I get it.

Just today I wrote e-mail and use neither - nor , please check if I wrote correctly :

"I don´t feel responsable neither for the extra equipment bought, nor for the additional costs"

Does it work?

Thanks!

Pamela

Dimsumexpress · Answer

Hi,

Pamela81"I don´t feel responsable neither for the extra equipment bought, nor for the additional costs"

When "neither / nor" is used, be careful with the double -negative construction which is what you have. It is considered incorrect. You may say " I feel neither responsible for the extra equipment bought, nor the additional costs". Or "I don't feel responsible for either the extra equipment bought, or the additional costs".

Pamela81 · Answer

Hi,
thank you, but I´m really confused!! I thought I could use a double negative construction!!

:-(((

Dimsumexpress · Answer

It is an area most learners have confusions on. I think if you do a key word search for [double negative, neither, nor], you will find much more insightful explanation than I can offer. This is one example:
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/neither?region=us

Pamela81Hi,thank you, but I´m really confused!! I thought I could use a double negative construction!!:-(((

Pamela81 · Answer

Hi,
thank you so much. You are right :-)

Now I understand this point better although it is not natural to me :-( I´ll do my best to remember it.

Regards
Pamela

Neither

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