English Grammar - Usage

Either

Either means one or the other of two. It is used before a singular noun.

• 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.

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