60: Either - Or 和 Neither - Nor 有什么区别？怎样决定应该用哪一个呢？

Question 60: What is the difference between Either - Or and Neither - Nor? And how do I decide which one to apply?

Answer: The differentiation is based on the negative or positive context of the phrase in which these words are used. For example:

I would choose either the chocolate or the strawberry flavoring.

I would choose neither the chocolate nor the strawberry, because I prefer vanilla.

As you can see, when the choice is positive for one or the other of the flavors, the wording is either - or. However, when the context is negative then neither choice is accepted and the appropriate wording is neither - nor.

问：Either - Or 和 Neither - Nor 有什么区别？怎样决定应该用哪一个呢？

答：两者的不同主要取决于句子在文中是表示肯定还是否定的意思。例如：
I would choose either the chocolate or the strawberry flavoring.

I would choose neither the chocolate nor the strawberry, because I prefer vanilla.

你可以发现，如果是选择两者中的某一个，那么就应该用either - or。如果问中的意思是否定的，那么就选用neither - nor。

Question: When is it best to use ensure versus insure?

Answer:    Although ensure and insure are interchangeable synonyms, insure has a distinct usage for an action taken as a precaution and prior to an action, such as the act of taking out an insurance policy.

Examples: "I will ensure his safe arrival."

"He should insure his car."

问：什么时候用ensure? 什么时候用insure?

答：虽然两者发音相同，仅一个字母之差，而且有时可以互相取代。但是insure有一个不同的用法，就是表示在发生一件事情之前采取的预警行为或预防措施，比如去保险。

例如：
"I will ensure his safe arrival."

"He should insure his car."