Ni l'un(e) ni l'autre ne... means neither one nor the other or neither (of them).
Look at these examples:
L'un/l'une agrees in gender with its antecedent.
Agreement of the verb
The rule is as follows:
- If the action could potentially be carried out simultaneously by both subjects introduced by ni...ni..., then use the plural form of the verb (ils/elles form).
- If the action could only be carried out by one of the subjects introduced by ni...ni... at any given time, then use the singular form of the verb (il/elle/on form).
Note that in some cases, either plural or singular are acceptable, depending on the meaning you want to emphasise:
->Here you're highlighting that one after the other didn't reply to your successive calls.
-> Here you're emphasising that both of them failed to reply.
Ni l'un(e) ni l'autre can also be used on its own to express neither:
Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Braimap today »
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Quel parfum tu veux ? Fraise ou vanille? - Ni l'un ni l'autre.What flavour do you want ? Strawberry or vanilla? - Neither.
Thomas et Olivier ont bien couru, mais ni l'un ni l'autre n'a obtenu la médaille d'or.Thomas and Olivier ran well, but neither of them got the gold medal.
Mes filles sont bonnes en maths, mais ni l'une ni l'autre ne sont bonnes en français.My daughters are good at maths, but neither one [nor the other] is good at French.
Le prof a interrogé Lucas et Marc, mais ni l'un ni l'autre ne connaissaient leur leçon.The teacher quizzed Lucas and Marc, but neither of them knew their lesson.
Qu'en est-il de Julien et Sophie ? - Ni l'un ni l'autre ne peuvent venir.What about Julien and Sophie? - Neither one (nor the other) can come.
Lisa et Julie ont postulé, mais ni l'une ni l'autre n'a décroché le poste.Lisa and Julie applied, but neither of them got the job.
J'ai appelé Paul et Hadrien, mais ni l'un ni l'autre n'a répondu.I called Paul and Hadrien, but neither one (nor the other) answered.
