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Healer Posted 5 years ago
Grammar

“either” in negative sense

Are both below the same meaning? If they’re, is there any subtle difference in nuance?


Stop either one.

Stop both.


Strictly speaking I think the former should only refer to either one out of two, the same as in the affirmative sense. However I think I have seen quite a few using “either” in the negative sense when they actually mean negative to both options. That’s wrong, isn’t that?

  

Top answer

healer the former should only refer to either one out of two Exactly. That's what it means. It doesn't mean 'both'.

  • healer the former should only refer to either one out of two Exactly.
  • That's what it means.
  • It doesn't mean 'both'.
  • healer I think I have seen quite a few using “either” in the negative sense If you run across it again or remember it later, post it, and we'll try to figure out what's going on there.
  • It sounds wrong.
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3 Answers
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healerthe former should only refer to either one out of two

Exactly. That's what it means. It doesn't mean 'both'.

healerI think I have seen quite a few using “either” in the negative sense

If you run across it again or remember it later, post it, and we'll try to figure out what's going on there. It sounds wron

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healerI think I have seen quite a few using “either” in the negative sense

Is this what you mean?


He wouldn't take either the high road or the low road. He just sat there, glaring.

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healer“either” in the negative sense

Following on Alphecca Stars' observations, your sentences are not negations. Maybe you mean

Don't stop either one.

This means don't stop one and don't stop the other. Let both continue.

Your other sentence will also be different if negated.

Don't stop both.

This means you may

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