either
gb/ˈiðɚ/ us/ˈiðɚ/
A2
Anglais
~ 900
Sens
0 sens
conjunction
A2
relation
1
used to show a choice
Used to talk about a choice between two things.
Schéma d’usage :
either [option A] or [option B]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes use 'either' without 'or' when listing two alternatives, which is incorrect in this sense.
Synonymes
or (Similar in connecting alternatives, but 'either' usually emphasizes the limited number of choices.)
Antonymes
both (Indicates inclusion of both options instead of choosing one.)
Collocations
either A or B
|either way
|either one
Thèmes
grammar
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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'.
Schéma d’usage :
[negative clause] ... either
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often incorrectly use 'too' in negative sentences instead of 'either'.
Synonymes
too ('Too' is used in positive statements, while 'either' is used in negatives.)
Antonymes
too (Opposite polarity; 'too' works in positive contexts, 'either' in negative ones.)
Collocations
not either
|can't either
|won't either
Thèmes
grammar
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Exemples
- I don't like coffee either.
- She can't come tonight either.
- They haven't seen the movie either.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Schéma d’usage :
either [singular noun]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes use 'either' with plural nouns incorrectly when they mean 'both'.
Synonymes
each ('Each' can refer to more than two, but 'either' is limited to two.)
Antonymes
neither ('Neither' means not one and not the other.)
Collocations
either side
|either hand
|either option
Thèmes
grammar
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- There are trees on either side of the road.
- You may choose either option.
- She held a bag in either hand.
Exemples pédagogiques
- There is a shop on either side.
- You can take either bus.
- He has a ring on either hand.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
either
API
GB/ˈiðɚ/
US/ˈiðɚ/
Syllabes et accentuation
either (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (either)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: either
- Plural: eithers
Famille de mots
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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- There are shops on either side of the street.
- He was surrounded by guards on either side of him.