[Grammar] A and B didn't/Neither A nor B

[Snappy]

I found this in an English textbook published in Japan.

"Emily and Minjun didn't eat bananas this morning."

Does this mean either Emily or Minjun ate bananas?

In my understanding I should say, "Neither Emily nor Minjun ate bananas this morning," if Emily didn't eat bananas and Minjun didn't, either.

 

[billmcd]

Both would be understood as meaning the same but I prefer your "Neither etc. etc."

 

[2006]

"Emily and Minjun didn't eat bananas this morning."

In some contexts, that sentence would be more than just acceptable; it would be the natural way to express the meaning.
Can you think of such a context?

 

[Tdol]

In my understanding I should say, "Neither Emily nor Minjun ate bananas this morning," if Emily didn't eat bananas and Minjun didn't, either

I agree with 2006- this is a possibilitiy, but there's nothing wrong with the original sentence, and in many contexts it would be better. What would you use if there were four children, two of whom ate bananas? ;-)

 

[corum]

How about this?

- Did your four children eat the bananas I sent them yesterday?
- Emily and Minjun didn't eat bananas this morning, but Peter and Paul did. There are still some bananas left.