Difference between ever and never

The word "never" means "not ever" or "not at any time".

The word "ever" is frequently used with a meaning of "at any time". It is probably most
commonly used in questions and negative sentences. And you will often find "ever" used with the
present perfect.

But "ever" can also be used in some affirmative constructions. For example, it is not uncommon
to find "ever" used in combination with the word "only" -- as in the first sentence I wrote in this
post.

Or, for example, you might find "ever" used in combination with the phrase "the first time":
- This is the first time I have ever seen you like that.

.
You'll also often see "ever" in combination with a comparative and the word "than", or in
combination with a superlative. This sort of combination in an affirmative sentence basically
means the same thing as "never more at any time before":

- He looks better than ever. (= He has never looked better than he looks now.)
- The price of gas is higher than it has ever been. (= The price of gas has never been higher.)
- That is the worst movie I have ever seen. (= I have never seen a worse movie.)
- This is the most interesting course I have ever attended. (= I have never attended a more
interesting course.)

What is the difference between "neither-nor" and "either-or"?

I recently received an email with the following question: "Peter has not gone to school today,
_______ has he done his homework. The question was regarding whether "neither" or "nor"
should be placed in the blank. What do you think? If you're not sure, read the explanations for
the two pairings and then try.

"Either" and "Or"

"Either" is also a singular adjective. It means one or the other, but not both. "Either" expresses
one noun/pronoun doing one thing and the other noun/pronoun doing another; in this way it is a
"positive" word because what is occurring is true. "Either" can be paired with "or", but not "nor".

She wanted to paint either a landscape or a self-portrait. (She wanted to paint one or
the other, but not both.)
 I can't remember if either Georgia or Julia wanted a doll for Christmas. (One of the
girls wanted a doll, but not both.)

"Neither" and "Nor"

"Neither" is a singular adjective and can be paired with "nor" in a sentence. "Neither" is never
paired with "or". When using "neither" in a sentence, you are saying not the first object and not
the second object are behaving in a certain way. The nouns/pronouns are in agreement with one
another. "Nor" can also be used independently when negating the second part of two negative
clauses.

Neither Corie nor Bob went to the play. (Corie isn't going to the play. Bob isn't going to the
play.)

She said, "I don't like broccoli." I said, "Neither do I." [Neither is used here because she
doesn't like broccoli, and I don't like broccoli. (You may hear people say,"Me neither," this is
colloquial and not grammatically correct. You wouldn't say, "Me don't like broccoli.")]

She didn't want to sing, nor did she want to dance.