WordGarden.ioeither
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈaɪðə/
US
- /ˈaɪðər/
Meanings
Determiner
one or the other of two people or things
each of two people or things
Pronoun
one or the other of two people or things already mentioned
Conjunction
used with or to introduce alternatives
Adverb
also, used after a negative statement
Beyond the definition
"Either" introduces a choice between two possibilities. It's like reaching a fork in the road: you can go left, or you can go right. You might say, "You can have your tea either hot or cold," meaning you may choose one of the two.
"Either" is usually about picking one; it suggests that one thing will happen, even if you do not know which one yet. It often pairs with "or." If someone asks, "Are you coming to the party?" and you reply, "I'll come either tonight or tomorrow," you are leaving your options open. Be careful, though: sometimes it means "each of two." If there are trees on either side of a road, there are trees on both sides.
The word "either" indicates a choice between two alternatives. It suggests that one of the possibilities will be true, but the specific outcome isn't fixed yet. For example, saying "You can have either chocolate or vanilla cake" means you'll get one flavor, but it could be either one.
"Either...or" is a common pairing used to present these alternatives: "We can go to the beach either today or tomorrow." This construction emphasizes that just one of those options will happen. However, "either" can also mean "each of two," especially when talking about position or place. Saying "Either side of the river is beautiful" means both the left bank and the right bank are beautiful.
Additionally, "either" plays an important role in negative agreement. In the same way you use "too" in positive sentences, you use "either" in negative ones. If a friend says, "I don't like that movie," and you agree, you would say, "I don't like it either." Context matters. Sometimes the word offers a choice between two things, sometimes it points to each side of something, and sometimes it shows agreement with a negative statement. It is a small word, but it does a lot of work in everyday English.
Examples
- 1
Flexible choice
Either answer is fine.
- 2
Roadside location
There were tall trees on either side of the road.
- Phraseon either side of
on both sides
- 3
Choosing plans
Either of these plans could work.
- Grammar
either of is used before a plural group
- 4
Family pickup
Either my sister or my dad can pick you up from the airport.
- Patterneither ... or ...
a choice between two possibilities
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Timing choice
We can either eat now or wait until after the movie.
- 6
Planning flexibility
If Tuesday is difficult, we can meet on Wednesday instead; either way, I can make it.
- Phraseeither way
in both possible situations
- 7
Negative addition
I don't drink coffee, and I don't drink tea either.
- Grammar
at the end of a negative sentence, either means "also not"
- 8
Shared negative
"I can't stay late." "I can't either."
See also
Similar
- one or the other
- one of two
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- either one
- either option
- either way
Explore
- alternative
- correlative conjunction
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- eitheradverb