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Beginner clue

Neither of these works

Also known in the clue library as Neither nor (triple not-equals).

neither-nor
Clue pattern
This item matches neither of two options.
What to mark first
Place both no-marks at once, then inspect the fallout around them.
Common mistake
Stopping after two eliminations instead of checking for a forced survivor.
Mini-example
Mina is neither the baker nor the florist.
Print-book tip
Write the clue as two separate no-marks if the wording feels dense.

When and where this clue pays off

Two questions matter more than the pattern itself: does this clue give you everything now, or only later — and does it become a mark on the board, or a note you have to keep separately?

Settles on first read

Everything this clue can tell you is available on first read, including the easy-to-miss third elimination between the two ruled-out options themselves.

Marks the board directly

All three eliminations go straight onto the board.

Techniques that use this clue

Reading the clue is half the job. These are the methods that turn it into board progress.

Put it to work

See this clue type on a live board, or go back and browse the rest of the library.

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