either */*/*/

either */*/*/
UK [ˈaɪðə(r)] / US [ˈɪðər] adverb, determiner, pronoun
Summary:

Either can be used in the following ways: - in the expression either ... or: Students could choose either French or Spanish. ♦ You can either come by bus or take a taxi. - as a determiner (followed by a singular countable noun): a long room with a door at either end - as a pronoun: Olive oil and corn oil are both suitable, so you could use either. (followed by "of"): Does either of you speak Chinese? - as an adverb (in negative sentences): Jerry wasn't there either. When either is the subject of a sentence, it is usually used with a singular verb: Is either of them at home? But in spoken English a plural verb is sometimes used: Are either of them at home?
1) one or the other of two people or things, especially when it does not matter which

Cheque or credit card – you can use either.

Applications are welcomed from people of either sex and any age.

either of:

It was a long time before either of them spoke.

2) used in negative statements referring to both of two people or things

Jackie could play the piano and sing, whereas I couldn't do either.

Most of the troublemakers were not supporters of either team.

either of:

I didn't like either of the candidates.

a) used for adding that a negative statement is also true of another person or thing

We tried another method, but that didn't work either.

It's a problem I can't solve, and I don't think anyone else can either.

b) used for adding a negative statement that emphasizes how good, bad, impressive etc something is

He did a superb job, and he didn't have any help either.

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See:
also
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either ... or (... or) — used for showing two or more possibilities or choices

You must answer either yes or no.

You can contact us either by phone, by email, or by letter.

When there's a crisis, they either do nothing or do something totally useless.

either ... or — used for saying that one of two things has to happen or be true

Either you come with us, or you stay at home with your mother.

Either he forgot about the meeting or he deliberately stayed away – I don't know which.

either side/end/hand etc — each of two sides/ends/hands etc

Her parents were sitting on either side of her.

There were stairs at either end of the hall.

Pelham entered the room carrying a briefcase in either hand.


English dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • either — 1. pronunciation. The pronunciations iy dhǝ and ee dhǝ are about equally common. 2. parts of speech. Either functions in two ways: as an adjective or pronoun, and as an adverb or conjunction. In all these uses, it means essentially ‘one or other… …   Modern English usage

  • either — [ē′thər, ī′thər] adj. [ME < OE æghwæther < a (æ), always (see AY) + gehwæther, each of two (see WHETHER): akin to, and of same formation as, OHG eogihwedar] 1. one or the other (of two) [use either hand] 2. each (of two); the one and the… …   English World dictionary

  • Either — Ei ther ([=e] [th][ e]r or [imac] [th][ e]r; 277), a. & pron. [OE. either, aither, AS. [=ae]g[eth]er, [=ae]ghw[ae][eth]er (akin to OHG. [=e]ogiwedar, MHG. iegeweder); [=a] + ge + hw[ae][eth]er whether. See {Each}, and {Whether}, and cf. {Or},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Either — Ei ther, conj. Either precedes two, or more, co[ o]rdinate words or phrases, and is introductory to an alternative. It is correlative to or. [1913 Webster] Either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • either —  Either suggests a duality and is almost always better avoided when the context involves quantities of more than two, as in Decisions on Mansfield’s economy are now made in either Detroit, Pittsburgh, or New York. Often in such constructions,… …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • Either/Or — Album par Elliott Smith Sortie 27 février 1997 Durée 37:00 Genre(s) Rock indépendant Producteur(s) Elliott Smith Tom Rothrock Rob Schnapf …   Wikipédia en Français

  • either...or ...or — either...or (...or) phrase used for showing two or more possibilities or choices You must answer either yes or no. You can contact us either by phone, by email, or by letter. When there’s a crisis, they either do nothing or do something totally… …   Useful english dictionary

  • either — O.E. ægðer, contraction of æghwæðer each of two, both, from a always (see AYE (Cf. aye) (2)) + ge collective prefix + hwæðer which of two, whether (see WHETHER (Cf. whether)). Cognate with Du. ieder, O.H.G. eogiwedar, G …   Etymology dictionary

  • Either — Either/or means one or the other. Its usage, versus the simple or structure, is often for emphatic purposes, sometimes intending to emphasize that only one option is possible, or to emphasize that there are only two options. Its use in a sentence …   Wikipedia

  • either — ► CONJUNCTION & ADVERB 1) used before the first of two (or occasionally more) alternatives specified (the other being introduced by ‘or’). 2) (adverb ) used to indicate a similarity or link with a statement just made: You don t like him, do you?… …   English terms dictionary

  • either-or — [ē′thərôr′] adj. designating a proposition, situation, etc. limited to only two alternatives …   English World dictionary

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