Either | Class 10 English Grammar
- There was a chair on either side of the fire-place.
Before a pronoun or a determiner (the, this, my, your etc.) we use either of. The noun or pronoun after either of is plural.
- I don’t like either of them.
- I don’t like either of my grammar teachers.
The verb is usually singular, but it can be plural in an informal style.
- Is either of them at home? (more formal)
- Are either of them at home? (more informal)
Object pronouns after either of
We use object pronouns (them, us) after either of.
- I don’t like either of them. (NOT — either of they.)
The pronoun referring back to either + noun/pronoun can be singular or plural.
- If either of the boys comes, tell him/them to wait.
After not
After mentioning a negative idea or fact, we can add another negative point by using not — either.
- I don’t like this one, and I don’t like that one either. (= I dislike both of them.)
- Peter isn’t here. John isn’t here either.
- I know you don’t like me. I don’t like you either.
Either — or
Either — or is used to talk about a choice between two alternatives.
- He must be either mad or drunk.
- We must either go now or stay till the end.
Note that either introduces the first of two alternatives.
- I don’t speak either German or French.
- You can have either tea or coffee.
Either vs. Neither
- There are roses on either side of the door.
- I don’t like either of them.
Neither means not one and not the other of two.
- I like neither of them.
- Neither of my brothers can sing.
Both either and neither are used to talk about two people or things. To refer to more than two people or things, any or none should be used.
- You can have either of the two shirts.
- You can have any of the three shirts.
- You can have none of the three shirts. (NOT — neither of the three shirts.)
