Spanish · B1 · Everyday language
Neither Option Works in Spanish
This guide focuses on using the paired conjunction 'ni... ni...' to express that neither of two options is applicable. In Spanish, when these negative elements come before the verb, the sentence does not require an additional 'no'. If they follow the verb, 'no' must be placed before the verb to maintain the negative sense.
What you'll learn
- Master the use of 'ni... ni...' to link excluded nouns or phrases.
- Understand verb agreement when using compound negative subjects.
- Learn how to position 'ni' correctly in relation to the verb.
Spanish phrases for neither option works
Ni tu tableta ni tu móvil pertenecen a la mesa del comedor.
Neither your tablet nor your phone belongs on the dinner table.
When 'ni... ni' starts the sentence, no extra 'no' is needed before the verb.
Ni el fútbol ni la natación encajan en nuestros planes de hoy.
Neither football nor swimming fits into our plans today.
'Encajar' is a common verb for 'to fit' in a scheduling context.
Tu proyecto no necesita ni materiales caros ni herramientas especiales.
Your project needs neither expensive materials nor special tools.
Since 'ni' follows the verb, we must add 'no' before 'necesita'.
Ni el sábado ni el domingo vienen bien para la fiesta de pijamas.
Neither Saturday nor Sunday works for the sleepover.
'Venir bien' is a natural way to say a time 'works' for someone.
Ni tú ni tu amigo tienen que resolver este problema solos.
Neither you nor your friend has to solve this problem alone.
The verb is plural because it refers to two subjects (tú y tu amigo).
No tengo ni el tiempo ni la energía para otra tarde de compras esta noche.
I have neither the time nor the energy for another shopping trip tonight.
Notice the use of 'no' before 'tengo' because the excluded items come after.
Ni la cocina ni el salón son lo suficientemente silenciosos para grabar.
Neither the kitchen nor the living room is quiet enough for recording.
Adjectives like 'silenciosos' must also be plural to match the compound subject.
Ni este juego ni esa película son aptos para tu primo pequeño.
Neither this game nor that film is suitable for your younger cousin.
'Apto' is the standard term for age-appropriate or suitable content.
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
ni... ni...
neither... nor...
A correlative conjunction used to join two negative options.
fiesta de pijamas
sleepover / pajama party
Literally 'party of pajamas'.
encajar
to fit / to slot in
Used for physical objects or abstract concepts like plans.
venir bien
to be convenient / to work
An idiomatic expression for schedules.
Placement of 'Ni' and Double Negatives
Spanish allows (and often requires) double negatives. If you place the exclusion after the verb, you must use 'no'. If the exclusion (Ni A ni B) comes before the verb, you don't use 'no'.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Before Verb | Ni + [Subject] + ni + [Subject] + [Verb] | Ni Juan ni Ana vienen. |
| After Verb | No + [Verb] + ni + [Object] + ni + [Object] | No quiero ni café ni té. |
Verb Agreement
When 'ni... ni...' links two singular subjects, the verb is almost always plural because you are referring to two distinct entities being excluded.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Compound Subject | Ni A ni B + plural verb | Ni el perro ni el gato están aquí. |
More examples
No quiero ni brócoli ni espinacas.
I want neither broccoli nor spinach.
A very common way to express dislikes at the dinner table.
Ni el rojo ni el azul me gustan.
I like neither the red one nor the blue one.
Here the 'ni' phrase is the subject, so no 'no' is used.