either
either
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "either" can vary slightly depending on the dialect (e.g., British English vs. American English). Here are the two most common pronunciations:
American English: /ˈaɪðər/
British English: /ˈaɪðə/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
First Syllable (/aɪ/ or /aɪ/):
/aɪ/: As in the "igh" in "high" or the "i" in "ice." This is a diphthong, a glide from one vowel sound to another.
Second Syllable (/ðər/ or /ðə/):
/ð/: Voiced "th" sound, as in "the" or "this."
/ər/: (American English) Rhotic vowel, like the "er" in "butter."
/ə/: (British English) Schwa sounds like the "a" in "sofa.
Word Form Variations
"Either" does not have typical word form variations like singular/plural, different tenses, or comparative/superlative forms because it primarily functions as a determiner, pronoun, adverb, or conjunction. It does not inflect for number, tense, or degree.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Conjunction
Definition 1: Used before two or more possibilities to show that only one of them is true or possible.
Synonyms: alternatively, or else
Antonyms: neither...nor (when expressing exclusion)
Definition 2: Used in negative statements or questions to add a similar negative idea. (Often paired with "nor" or "not")
Synonyms: also not, as well (in a negative context), too (in a negative context)
Antonyms: also, too (in a positive context)
Determiner
Definition: Referring to one or the other of two people or things, implying a choice between them.
Synonyms: one of two, one or the other
Antonyms: neither (when referring to none of the two)
Pronoun
Definition: One or the other of two people or things.
Synonyms: one of two, one choice
Antonyms: neither (when referring to none of the two)
Adverb
Definition: Used in negative sentences after a statement to indicate that something similar is also true.
Synonyms: also (in a negative context), too (in a negative context), as well (in a negative context)
Antonyms: also, too (in a positive context)
Examples of Use
Books:
"You can either choose the red pill or the blue pill." (From The Matrix screenplay, a widely quoted line illustrating a binary choice)
"He felt he was on the verge of understanding either everything or nothing." (From a philosophical novel, showcasing "either" to express two extreme possibilities)
"She didn't know either what to say or how to react to the surprising news." (From a contemporary romance novel, demonstrating "either" with two options for action)
Newspapers:
"The government must either invest in renewable energy or face the consequences of climate change." (The New York Times)
"Neither candidate received a clear majority, so either a runoff election or a coalition government is likely." (The Guardian)
"Customers can return the faulty product to either the store or directly to the manufacturer for a refund." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"You can pay for your subscription either monthly or annually, whichever suits your budget." ( Wired.com)
"Our new privacy policy applies to users either in the European Union or the United States." (Facebook Newsroom)
"To improve your search results, you can either use more specific keywords or try a different search engine." (Google Support)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film Dialogue: "We can either fight and die, or run and live to fight another day." (Common trope in action films, presenting a stark choice)
TV Show Dialogue: "You're either with us or against us." (Frequently heard in dramas or thrillers, demanding allegiance)
Song Lyrics: "You love me or you don't, there's no either way." (From a pop song, emphasizing a lack of middle ground)
Video Game Choices: (On-screen prompt) "Do you want to either attack the monster or attempt to sneak past it?" (Decision point in a role-playing game)
Podcast Discussions: "The expert argued that the economic downturn was either due to supply chain issues or a lack of consumer confidence." (From an economic podcast, presenting potential causes)
General Public Discourse:
"You can either come to my party or go to the concert, but not both." (Conversational use among friends when discussing plans)
"I don't like either coffee or tea in the morning; I prefer water." (Casual statement of preference)
"The bus runs either every 15 minutes or every half hour, depending on the time of day." (Giving information about public transport)
"He didn't either call or text me back, which is unusual." (Complaining about someone's lack of communication)
"It's either going to rain or it's going to be sunny; I can't decide what to wear." (Discussing weather uncertainty)
10 Famous Quotes Using Either
"You can either choose to be a victim or an adventurer in life. It's all a question of how you look at it." (Oprah Winfrey)
"Do either a thing or don't. Don't be forever thinking of it." (attributed to Amelia Earhart)
"The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. You can either pay that price or not, but you can't have it for free." (Henry David Thoreau)
"You are either with us, or you are with the terrorists." (George W. Bush, post-9/11 speech)
"A man has either got to be a husband or a bachelor. He can't be both." (W. Somerset Maugham, The Circle)
"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." (Benjamin Franklin, though often paraphrased to include "either")
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." (Helen Keller)
"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." (Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight)
"You can either control your mind or it controls you." (Napoleon Hill)
"The truth is either a lie that's been told for so long that people believe it, or a story that hasn't been told yet." (attributed to various sources, often in a philosophical context)
Etymology
The word "either" has a fascinating history that goes back to Old English!
Imagine you're trying to pick between two things. That's essentially the core idea behind "either."
Its journey started in Old English (the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066) as "ǣġhwæþer". This long word was a combination of a few older words:
"ā" which meant "always" or "ever" (think of the word "aye" meaning "yes" or "always").
A "collective prefix" "ge-" which doesn't have a direct modern English equivalent but often implied "together" or "each."
"hwæþer", which meant "which of two" or "whether" (and is where our modern word "whether" comes from!).
So, if you put those together, "ǣġhwæþer" literally meant something like "always each of two" or "each of two, both."
Over time, that long Old English word got shortened through a process called contraction, eventually becoming "ǣġþer" and then, in Middle English, it evolved into forms like "either."
First Known Use and Meaning:
The earliest known use of "either" (or its Old English ancestors) was before the year 1150 (the Old English period). At first, its meaning was actually closer to "each of two" or "both." So, if you said "flowers blooming on either side of the walk," it would have originally meant "flowers blooming on both sides of the walk."
However, by the late 13th century or early 14th century (Late Middle English), the more common meaning we use today – "one or the other of two" – started to appear and eventually became the dominant sense of the word. It began to clearly imply a choice between two possibilities, rather than including both.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Either
Either... or...: This is the most common construction, indicating a choice between two alternatives.
Example: "You can either come with us or stay home."
Not either: Used to negate both options.
Example: "I don't like either chocolate or vanilla."
Either way: Regardless of which of the two options is chosen.
Example: "It's a difficult decision, but either way, we'll support you."
On either side: Referring to both sides of something.
Example: "Trees lined the road on either side."
Either-or situation: A situation where there are only two possibilities, and only one can be chosen.
Example: "It's an either-or situation; we can't have both."
Can't either: Expressing agreement with a negative statement.
Example: "I don't want to go." "I can't either."
Take it or leave it: (Idiom, though "either" is implied) Presenting a non-negotiable offer.
Example: "That's my final offer, take it or leave it."
Sink or swim: (Idiom, "either" is implied) Succeed or fail completely on one's own.
Example: "They threw him into the deep end; it was sink or swim."
Now or never: (Idiom, "either" is implied) Indicating that an action must be taken immediately or not at all.
Example: "This is our chance; it's now or never."
A matter of either this or that: An original phrase emphasizing a clear binary choice.
Example: "When it comes to our budget, it's a matter of either cutting expenses or increasing revenue."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of either from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
