Either
'Either' has many functions in the English grammar such as being a determiner. In this lesson, we will discover all about this commonly used word.
Either is a commonly used word and has four functions that we are going to learn in this lesson.
Functions of 'Either'
1. 'Either' as a Determiner
Use
Either as a determiner is used to indicate one and the other or one or the other of two people/things. It is used with singular nouns. Look:
- Either as a determiner comes before a noun to show 'each of two, one and the other of two people or things.' Look:
Both flowers are beautiful.
There are two pens. I don't like
I don't like none of those two pens.
- Either indicates 'one or the other of two people or things.' For example:
On
There are two questions.
Position in a Sentence
Either as a determiner heads a singular noun and requires a singular verb. For example:
On
There are two questions.
2. 'Either' as a Pronoun
Use
Either as a pronoun replaces the noun it refers to and means 'one or the other or one and the other.' Look:
Both answers are correct.
You can have
Position in a Sentence
Either as a pronoun is used as a subject or object. The verb must be singular is either is the subject. Look:
You can have
Tip
If either is followed by 'of', we can use plural verbs in informal English as well. Either as a pronoun is used with 'of' and a plural noun or pronoun. Look:
3. 'Either' as a Correlative Conjunction
Use
Either as a correlative conjunction is used with 'or' to connect two phrases. It is used to indicate choices or possibilities, take a look:
You can
It can
Position in a Sentence
If either and or are used to link two subjects in a sentence, the verb should agree with the closer subject. For example:
4. 'Either' as an Adverb
Use
Either as an adverb is used to add more information to the sentence. Either as an adverb means 'in addition' and it is used after a negative statement, look:
The cars are expensive and are not of a high quality
This adaptation is awful. I don't like the book
me either
'Me either' is used in informal U.S. English to say that you agree with a negative sentence. For example:
Position in a Sentence
Either as an adverb modifies a verb and stands after it. If the sentence starts with 'either', an inversion is required. For example: Take a look:
This adaptation is awful. I don't like the book
'Either' modifies the verb and adds more meaning to it.
_ They don't work so hard. _Me
In this case, the full sentence is 'I don't work so hard
_ I don't feel comfortable here. _
An inversion of subject and the negative auxiliary verb is made here.
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