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Meaning & use

either

determiner, pronoun, conjunction, adverb·Everyday

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UK/ˈaɪðə/
US/ˈiːðər/

Meanings

  1. determinerbefore a noun

    One or the other of two people or things, when it does not matter which.

    Grammar: Used before a singular countable noun: either answer is correct.

    Patterns

    • either + singular noun
    • either of + plural noun/pronoun

    You can take either road; both lead to the station.

    Either answer is acceptable, so don't worry.

    I don't like either option.

  2. pronounsingular

    One or the other of two things or people, when the specific one is not important.

    Grammar: Stands alone as a subject or object: either is fine; I don't want either.

    Patterns

    • either of + plural noun/pronoun

    Would you like tea or coffee? Either is fine.

    I asked both brothers, but neither knew the answer.

    Either of these books will help you.

  3. conjunctionfixed phrase

    Used before the first of two choices connected by 'or'.

    Grammar: Joins two alternatives: either An or B.

    Patterns

    • either ... or ...

    You can either walk or take the bus.

    Either you apologize, or you leave.

    She will either accept or refuse.

  4. adverbafter a verb

    Also; used after a negative statement to add another negative point.

    Grammar: Comes at the end of a negative clause: I don't like it either.

    Patterns

    • negative verb + either

    I haven't seen that movie, and my sister hasn't either.

    She doesn't eat meat, and he doesn't either.

    If you don't go, I won't either.

Common combinations

either way
Either way, we'll miss the train.
either of them
I don't trust either of them.
either one
Either one works for me.
either side
There are trees on either side of the road.

Synonyms and how they differ

any
Use 'any' when there are more than two choices or in questions and negatives; 'either' is only for two.
one or the other
A phrase with the same meaning but more emphatic; 'either' is shorter and more common.

Opposites

neither

Commonly confused: either or neither? either or both?

either vs neither

'Neither' means not one and not the other; 'either' means one or the other. Compare: 'Either book is fine' (one is OK) vs. 'Neither book is fine' (both are bad).

either vs both

'Both' means the two together; 'either' means just one of the two. 'Both answers are correct' (two correct) vs. 'Either answer is correct' (one correct).

Practice

Choose the correct word: "You can take ___ bus; they both go downtown."

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “either”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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