either
gb/ˈiðɚ/ us/ˈiðɚ/
A2
Kiingereza
~ 900
Maana
maana 0
conjunction
A2
relation
1
used to show a choice
Used to talk about a choice between two things.
Muundo wa matumizi:
either [option A] or [option B]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes use 'either' without 'or' when listing two alternatives, which is incorrect in this sense.
Visawe
or (Similar in connecting alternatives, but 'either' usually emphasizes the limited number of choices.)
Vinyume
both (Indicates inclusion of both options instead of choosing one.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
either A or B
|either way
|either one
Mada
grammar
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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'.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[negative clause] ... either
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners often incorrectly use 'too' in negative sentences instead of 'either'.
Visawe
too ('Too' is used in positive statements, while 'either' is used in negatives.)
Vinyume
too (Opposite polarity; 'too' works in positive contexts, 'either' in negative ones.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
not either
|can't either
|won't either
Mada
grammar
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Mifano
- I don't like coffee either.
- She can't come tonight either.
- They haven't seen the movie either.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Muundo wa matumizi:
either [singular noun]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes use 'either' with plural nouns incorrectly when they mean 'both'.
Visawe
each ('Each' can refer to more than two, but 'either' is limited to two.)
Vinyume
neither ('Neither' means not one and not the other.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
either side
|either hand
|either option
Mada
grammar
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- There are trees on either side of the road.
- You may choose either option.
- She held a bag in either hand.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- There is a shop on either side.
- You can take either bus.
- He has a ring on either hand.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
either
IPA
GB/ˈiðɚ/
US/ˈiðɚ/
Silabi na mkazo
either (silabi 1)
Stress on 1st syllable (either)
Maumbo ya neno
Noun
- Base: either
- Plural: eithers
Familia ya neno
Forms
eithers
noun
Negative and opposite forms
neither
conjunction A2
Semi
either way
1/ˈiðɚ wˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
regardless of the choice made
No matter which choice you make, the result is the same.
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano
- There are shops on either side of the street.
- He was surrounded by guards on either side of him.