Using Either … or, either of and etc… Please follow the list for detailed expressions and examples;
EITHER
Either refers to any one of the two things or people. Either is always considered singular in a sentence.
- I bought two shoes yesterday. Either shoes is for you.
- I will choose either of these candidates for the student representation.
- Either staff can come with me.
- Was either of these students in the classroom yesterday?
- Which one do you like, coffee or tea? – Either. I don’t mind.
- I don’t want either of them.
Using ‘Either’:
1.Either is used before a singular noun as a determiner.
Either + singular noun ( as a determiner)
- I chose these jackets. I think that either jacket fits you.
- Two political parties are preparing for election. Either party will be elected.
- Last night those two cars were very fast. Either car could have made an accident. Luckily, they didn’t.
2.Using Either with ‘or’ ( Either … or … / Either as a Conjunction ) :
Either is used as a conjunction so we can express alternatives and/or a choice between two things or people.
Either + Noun + or + Noun
- We will eat either pizza or hamburger at the restaurant tomorrow.
- Either you and Thomas had to complete the task.
- You should choose either this car or that car. I can not take both of them together.
Either + Clause + or + Clause
- Either you leave your weapon or I will kill the girl.
- Either he will be in peace with his wife or he will divorce.
- Either you go by plane to that country or you get a lot of trouble during the journey.
Notes:
The structure of either… or … can also be used in different places in a sentences.
- We can either have coffee or tea.
- You will either leave my home or I will call the police.
- I’ll either write to you or phone you next week.
3.Using Either with ‘of’ :
In this case verb can be singular or plural.
Either of + determiner ( the, my, these ) + plural noun
- Either of my friends want / wants a pencil from me.
- Either of these skirts can fit me.
- Either of the children can say what happened in the classroom.
Either + of + object pronoun ( you, us, them )
- I don’t want either of them.
- Either of you is / are very lucky.
- I want to choose either of you for this contest.
4.Either can also be used alone:
It means it doesn’t matter which alternative.
- What kind of ice cream do you want, strawberry or chocolate? – Either.
- What color ball do you want me to get you, yellow or green? – Either.
5.Either can be used at the end of the negative sentence to express the meaning like you, too, also
- I have never been in America. – I haven’t either.
- I don’t want to become a teacher. – My brother doesn’t either.
6.Either can be used as a subject in positive sentences and questions. However, Either can be used as an object, not a subject in negative sentences.
- Either of these stories is / are true.
- Could either of you help us?
- He doesn’t want either of his parents to know he is sick. ( Not his father and not his mother)
