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Either

Either is a determiner, a pronoun, an adverb or a conjunction. We can pronounce either /ˈaɪðə(r)/ or /ˈi:ðə(r)/.

Either as a determiner​

Either referring to two choices or possibilities​

We can use either as a determiner before a noun to talk about two choices or possibilities. The noun that follows either must be a singular countable noun:

  • Personally, I don’t like either jacket.
  • Not: … I don’t like either jackets.
  • Either restaurant will be okay, as they both serve vegetarian food. (It doesn’t matter which of the two restaurants you go to.)

Either of​

Either must be followed by of if we use it before the, these, those or possessives (my, your) with a plural noun:

  • Either of the children can come with us; we don’t mind which.
  • I don’t want either of my parents to know I’ve lost my job.
  • Not: I don’t want either my parents …

Either meaning ‘both’​

Either as a determiner before a singular countable noun can mean ‘both’:

  • There were shops on either side of the street.

Either as a pronoun​

We can use either as a pronoun:

  • A: Which sweater do you like, the green one or the blue one?
  • B: I don’t like either. (I don’t like the green one and I don’t like the blue one.)
  • A: What colour paper do you want, white or cream?
  • B: Either. It doesn’t matter.

Either as an adverb​

We can use either as an adverb after a negative verb:

  • It was a really nice hotel, and it wasn’t very expensive either.
  • She doesn’t like eggs and she doesn’t like fish either.

Either as a conjunction​

We can use either with or as a conjunction to connect two clauses:

  • Either we go by train or we rent a car. Which do you prefer?