0
Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Either

Hi, what is the meaning of this sentence:
"You drive the car in either case."

Is the meaning of "either case" that the person will drive the car in all of the cases or in only one of the cases?

Thank you so much in advance.
  

Top answer

Two possibilities have been presented. In both of them, the person will drive. We may get Meg and then Patty, or we may get Patty and then Meg.

— BarbaraPA

  • Two possibilities have been presented.
  • In both of them, the person will drive.
  • We may get Meg and then Patty, or we may get Patty and then Meg.
  • In either case, you will be the driver.
  • In your question you said "all of the cases" but "either" is used for two.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

26 Answers
0
Two possibilities have been presented.
In both of them, the person will drive.

We may get Meg and then Patty, or we may get Patty and then Meg. In either case, you will be the driver.

In your question you said "all of the cases" but "either" is used for two.
If there are many possibilities, then say "in any case, you drive."
0
0
Oh OK, thank you. So let's take your sentence:

"We may get Meg and then Patty, or we may get Patty and then Meg. In either case, you will be the driver. "

I guess it correct to say it has the same meaning as this:
"(...) In both cases, you will be the driver. "

Is this also a possible meaning?:
"(...) In one of the two cases you will be the driver. "
0
0
AnonymousIs this also a possible meaning?:"(...) In one of the two cases you will be the driver. "
No. 'in either case' means 'it doesn't matter which of the two cases applies' (the result will be the same).

You can take the poison in this bottle or the poison in that bottle. In either case, you'll be very, very sick.

CJ
0
0
Thank you! So in your example "You can take the poison in this bottle or the poison in that bottle. In either case, you'll be very, very sick." either can also be replaced with "both", I guess?

"You can take the poison in this bottle or the poison in that bottle. In either case, you'll be very, very sick." has the same meaning as "You can take the poison in this bottle or
0
0
AnonymousSo in your example "You can take the poison in this bottle or the poison in that bottle. In either case, you'll be very, very sick." either can also be replaced with "both", I guess?
No. Surprise, surprise! Very few people would say "in both cases". It gives the impression that you'll take both poisons, but that's not really what we're trying to sa
0
0
OK thank you. But do you have a replacement word or phrase for "either"?

I mean let's take my sentence:
"You drive the car in either case."

How could you replace "either"?
0
0
AnonymousHow could you replace "either"?
We don't have a replacement for "either."

Just use "either."
0
0
Thank you, but somehow I am still struggling to find a defintion for "in either case".

How would you explain someone the sentence "You drive the car in either case."?

I can think of two possible version:
- "You will drive the car in case x, but in case y I will drive the car."
- "You will drive the car in case x and in case y, but I am not sure which case will happen."
0
0
AnonymousOK thank you. But do you have a replacement word or phrase for "either"?I mean let's take my sentence:"You drive the car in either case."How could you replace "either"?
You can't.

It seems you have a feeling of revulsion for the word "either"! Why is that? Is it a bad word in your language?
0
0
AnonymousI can think of two possible version:- "You will drive the car in case x, but in case y I will drive the car."- "You will drive the car in case x and in case y, but I am not sure which case will happen."Are both versions possible?
- "You will drive the car in case x, but in case y I will drive the car." No!
- "Y
0

Related Questions