either

Pronunciation

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

pronunciation 1

• (AU) (UK) (US) enPR: ēth'ə(r), IPA ^(key): /ˈiːð.ə(r)/, SAMPA: /"i:D.@(r)/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

pronunciation 2

• (AU) (UK) (US) (Canada) enPR: īth'ə(r), IPA ^(key): /ˈaɪð.ə(r)/, SAMPA: /"aID.@(r)/

Usage notes

Both pronunciations are valid and can be used. The speaker can choose which pronunciation he prefers to use depending on the situation.

Determiner

Determiner either

1. (indefinite) (singular) (count) Any one out of two options.

   I can write with either hand.

   You can drink either tea or coffee.

   Either it is or it isn't.

   They can be used either alone or in groups.

   Few people liked it; most either ignored it or hated it.

2. (definite) (singular) (count) Each or both from two options

   The room has a door at either end.

   People were walking on either side of the road.

   I can't find either shoe. I have lost both shoes.

   I have a blue coat and a green coat. Either will keep me warm.

   There will still be problems in either of the following two cases.

Adverb

Positive either

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. After a list of two negatives (phrases with "not" in), this means "too" or "also".
   • Synonyms: or and any
   • Antonym: neither

   I don't like him and I don't like her either.

   I can't sing and I can't dance either.

   I do not eat fish and I do not eat seafood either.

   No other country has any real friends either.

Usage

Either is used for a list of two things. If the list has more than two items in it, you should use "any".