I have some doubts with either, could you check with I am saying the sentence bellow correctly ?
Is the following sentence grammatically correct?
"I think you are mistaken, sir. Her maiden name is not either Atkins or Perkins. I am absolutely sure of that. "
I don't know if I can "is not either…" or if I should say: Her maiden name is not Atkins either Perkins.
Best Answer
Your alternative "Her maiden name is not Atkins either Perkins" is definitely wrong. The original is weird, and likely incorrect although I guess it might function in certain obscure contexts:
Normally, you use constructs
In your case the sequence should be:
You can also use 'neither' and 'either' to refer back to earlier choices:
"not either" might seem like shorthand for "neither" but "neither" is usually applied without alternatives: "neither X nor Y", period. "not either" will be usually in construct of alternative: "not (either X or Y) but Z" - and even then this construct is fairly rare.