0
Mitsuo23 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

When to use "either"

Excuse me for reposting this. I couldn't have a sufficient answer.

Hi,

This could be a stupid sounded question, but I can't be sure when I need to use "either." Is it optional in some cases? For example:

and the answer supposedly spoke volumes about the kind of person you either were or hoped to become.


I think the sentence above makes almost the same sense without "either" and I believe it is also correct grammatically. Is "either" used for making the sentence more understandable?



Thank you,

M
  

Top answer

]You are correct, the sentence does make sense both ways. Either is simply used to differentiate one thing from another, and that includes ideas. But sometimes either needs to be used: Do you prefer salmon or tuna?

— Canderson

  • ]You are correct, the sentence does make sense both ways.
  • Either is simply used to differentiate one thing from another, and that includes ideas.
  • But sometimes either needs to be used: Do you prefer salmon or tuna?
  • Either would be fine!
  • or I think either one is an abominable choice.
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.

2 Answers
0
]You are correct, the sentence does make sense both ways. Either is simply used to differentiate one thing from another, and that includes ideas. But sometimes either needs to be used:

Do you prefer salmon or tuna?

Either would be fine!

or

I think either one is an abominable choice.

In your example:

And the answer supposedly spoke volumes ab
0

Related Questions