we can neither vs we neither can

Both "we can neither" and "we neither can" are correct constructions in English. They are used to express a negative condition or limitation. The choice between the two depends on the emphasis you want to place in the sentence.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 4799 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a negative condition or limitation.

"we can neither"

This phrase is used to indicate that two or more things are not possible or allowed. It is typically followed by two or more options or actions that are not feasible.

Examples:

We can neither confirm nor deny the allegations.
She can neither sing nor dance.
They can neither stay nor leave.
I can neither agree nor disagree.
He can neither read nor write.

Show examples from the web [+]

We can neither confirm nor deny that Gary Soneji... was involved in the incident on the MTA train this morning.
But we can neither confirm nor deny at this time.
The waste product has an active life of thousands of years that we can neither control nor manage.
Allow me to make one more small comment: I do not like the fact that these days we can neither freely fly the Tibetan flag nor bring it along to any action with links to the Olympics.
I am pleased to see, Sir Leon, that you have taken the opportunity to make a statement when, due to pressure of time, we can neither reply to what you have said nor even really go into it.
We can neither confirm nor deny the presence of a human child here tonight.
We can neither condone nor, as some would have us do, underestimate the severity of the incidents of corruption, fraud and malpractice.
We can neither of us live at that place now.
We can neither apply a double standard, as it would undermine the authenticity of the European Union, nor can we lay down new conditions.

Alternatives:

We cannot do either
We are unable to do both
We can't do either
We are not able to do both
We are incapable of doing either

This phrase is correct and can be used in English, but it is less common than "we can neither."

"we neither can"

This phrase is also used to express a negative condition or limitation, but it may sound slightly less natural to native English speakers.

Examples:

We neither can confirm nor deny the allegations.
She neither can sing nor dance.
They neither can stay nor leave.
I neither can agree nor disagree.
He neither can read nor write.

Show examples from the web [+]

Because - in an age of mobility - we neither can nor want to turn Europe into a fortress, decisions on illegal immigration must be taken in the individual countries.
Neither can we find them alternative employment.
But we can neither confirm nor deny at this time.
We can neither confirm nor deny the presence of a human child here tonight.
We can neither confirm nor deny that Gary Soneji... was involved in the incident on the MTA train this morning.
We can neither condone nor, as some would have us do, underestimate the severity of the incidents of corruption, fraud and malpractice.
The waste product has an active life of thousands of years that we can neither control nor manage.
We can neither of us live at that place now.
She cannot survive that and neither can we.
Neither can we escape through the stargate.
Neither can we escape through the stargate.
Neither can we, with you chopping away.
Neither can we. It's password-protected.
The Keeper isn't resting, and neither can we.
Neither can we agree to any privileges for ourselves that we cannot extend to our citizens.
Neither can we tolerate a situation in which a public body holds the copyright to public documents.
Neither can we grant the right to unlimited travel for patients.
Neither can we go on with business as usual.
Neither can we accept that Israel has detained numerous Palestinian ministers and members of parliament.
Neither can we ignore the responsibility our women have to ourselves and our children.

Alternatives:

We can neither
We cannot do either
We are unable to do both
We can't do either
We are not able to do both

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we can neither vs we neither can

"we can neither"

"we neither can"

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