Either … or means “one or the other”: it offers a choice between two options, and one of them applies. Either goes before the first option and or before the second, and the two options have the same form: two nouns, two verbs or two clauses. In an essay, it is a handy way to show two ways of solving a problem.
How would you use either … or?
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either + A + or + B (A and B in the same form); can/could either + verb + or + verb; Either + clause, or + clause
- You can either pay for the course in full or split it into three monthly payments.
- Either we leave before seven, or we'll get stuck in traffic on the bridge.
- To reduce traffic, cities can either raise parking fees or invest in public transport.
What changed
First versionWe can or take the train or rent a car for the weekend.
RevisionWe can either take the train or rent a car for the weekend.
It may seem logical to put the same word before both options: or … or. English has no double or. The first or was replaced with either, and the second stayed where it was.
Neither … nor rejects both options at once: Neither the soup nor the pasta is vegetarian, meaning the soup isn't vegetarian and the pasta isn't either. A single either at the end of a negative sentence means “also”: My sister doesn't drive, and I don't either. This meaning has nothing to do with choice.
Your turn
The café has two vegetarian dishes today, so you can order ___ the mushroom soup or the pasta.
Show the answer
either — There are two vegetarian dishes, and the guest can order one of them. A choice between two options is expressed with either … or. Neither means “not one and not the other”, its partner is nor, and its meaning contradicts the start of the sentence: the dishes are there, and you can order them.
A friend or colleague asks when you can meet. Write a reply and suggest two specific days or times with either … or.
I can meet either on Tuesday after six or on Thursday morning, whichever suits you better.
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