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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

One of two

Hi,

let's use this example "Here are the keys. Take either of them!"
You could replace either with "one of the two": "Here are the keys. Take one (of the two) of them!"

Now let's use this example: "Matthew will play in either case."
If we replace now either with "one of two we get: "Matthew will play in one of two cases. (In the other case someone else will play."

But some now say the last example is not correct?
  

Top answer

Anonymous "Here are the keys. "You could replace either with "one of the two": "Here are the keys. " To be absolutely logical in every detail, "only" should be added, but the usual meaning is as you say.

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous "Here are the keys.
  • "You could replace either with "one of the two": "Here are the keys.
  • " To be absolutely logical in every detail, "only" should be added, but the usual meaning is as you say.
  • Take one of the keys, but not both.
  • "If we replace now either with "one of two we get: "Matthew will play in one of two cases.
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28 Answers
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Anonymous"Here are the keys. Take either of them!"You could replace either with "one of the two": "Here are the keys. Take (only) one (of the two) of them!"
To be absolutely logical in every detail, "only" should be added, but the usual meaning is as you say. Take one of the keys, but not both.
Anonym
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AnonymousYou could replace either with "one of the two": "Here are the keys. Take one (of the two) of them!"
That is a bit wordy. It would be simpler as: "Here are the keys. Take one!"
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AnonymousIt would be simpler as: "Here are the keys. Take one!"
It would, but that doesn't help much in a discussion related to paraphrases of "either".
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Thank you CJ, good explanation! Emotion: smile

Only one small question left:
CalifJimHe will play in either case.
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AnonymousOR and not AND
Yes, the "or"s and "and"s get confusing when discussing such things, but see below.
AnonymousBut is this also possbile? (I am unsure because you write OR and not AND): If case 1 happens: He will play /// If case 2 happens: Someone else will playor respectively If case 1 happens: Someone else will play /// If case
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CalifJimYes, the "or"s and "and"s get confusing when discussing such things, but see below.
Thank you, but why didn't you write "He will play in either case. = He will play | [if it is one case AND if it is the other case]."
Cause if he plays in case 1 and case 2 (whatever happens), then it has to be AND? Or am I wrong?
At least I understood it much mo
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Anonymouswhy didn't you write "He will play in either case. = He will play | [if it is one case AND if it is the other case].
Sometimes it amounts to the same thing. It just depends how you phrase it.

If it is one case OR the other case, he will play.
If it is one case, he will play, AND if it is the other case, he will play.
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Thank you!

Last question:
CalifJimIf it is one case OR the other case, he will play.If it is one case, he will play, AND if it is the other case, he will play.
These two sentences mean the exact same thing?
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AnonymousThank you!Last question:CalifJimIf it is one case OR the other case, he will play.If it is one case, he will play, AND if it is the other case, he will play.These two sentences mean the exact same thing?
Yes.

CJ
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BTW: Can I ask my question without "exact"?

Like this:
"If it is one case OR the other case, he will play.
If it is one case, he will play, AND if it is the other case, he will play."
These two sentences mean the same thing?

And the answer to the question is still yes, so they mean the same thing? Or did "exact" change anything (like 2 positives exact/same mean that t
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