either
gb/ˈiðɚ/ us/ˈiðɚ/
A2
English
~ 900
Senses
0 senses
conjunction
A2
relation
1
used to show a choice
Used to talk about a choice between two things.
Usage pattern:
either [option A] or [option B]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'either' without 'or' when listing two alternatives, which is incorrect in this sense.
Synonyms
or (Similar in connecting alternatives, but 'either' usually emphasizes the limited number of choices.)
Antonyms
both (Indicates inclusion of both options instead of choosing one.)
Collocations
either A or B
|either way
|either one
Themes
grammar
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- You can either stay here or come with us.
- Either we leave now, or we miss the train.
- I can either call you tonight or send you an email.
Learner examples
- You can either eat now or later.
- Either you go, or I go.
- We can either walk or take the bus.
adverb
A2
relation
2
also, in negative context
Used after a negative sentence to mean 'also'.
Usage pattern:
[negative clause] ... either
Common mistake:
Learners often incorrectly use 'too' in negative sentences instead of 'either'.
Synonyms
too ('Too' is used in positive statements, while 'either' is used in negatives.)
Antonyms
too (Opposite polarity; 'too' works in positive contexts, 'either' in negative ones.)
Collocations
not either
|can't either
|won't either
Themes
grammar
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- I don't like coffee either.
- She can't come tonight either.
- They haven't seen the movie either.
Learner examples
- I don't like fish either.
- He is not happy either.
- We don't have time either.
determiner
B1
quantity
3
each of two items
Means one or the other of two things.
Usage pattern:
either [singular noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'either' with plural nouns incorrectly when they mean 'both'.
Synonyms
each ('Each' can refer to more than two, but 'either' is limited to two.)
Antonyms
neither ('Neither' means not one and not the other.)
Collocations
either side
|either hand
|either option
Themes
grammar
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There are trees on either side of the road.
- You may choose either option.
- She held a bag in either hand.
Learner examples
- There is a shop on either side.
- You can take either bus.
- He has a ring on either hand.
Grammar
Dictionary form
either
IPA
GB/ˈiðɚ/
US/ˈiðɚ/
Syllables & stress
either (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (either)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: either
- Plural: eithers
Word family
Forms
eithers
noun
Negative and opposite forms
neither
conjunction A2
Expressions
either way
1/ˈiðɚ wˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
regardless of the choice made
No matter which choice you make, the result is the same.
Examples
- Either way, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow.
- It might rain or snow, but either way we’ll still go hiking.
either … or …
2/ˈiðɚ ˈɔɹ/
fixed phrase
offering two options only
Used to show there are only two choices.
Examples
- You can either have tea or coffee.
- Either we leave now or we’ll be late.
on either side (of)
3/ˈɔn ˈiðɚ sˈaɪd əv/
fixed phrase
on both sides of something
On both sides of something.
Examples
- There are shops on either side of the street.
- He was surrounded by guards on either side of him.