Whether/either

Question

Can someone please explain the difference in meaning/usage between 'whether' and 'either'?

I'll share what I already know:

One meaning of whether is identicle to that of either and in such cases can (sometimes??) be used as an alternative.

Their usual uses are different, however.

'whether + S verb to be' can be reduced to just 'whether.' And I also think whether it be/is' can be shortened to 'be it.'

One specific question: If the meainig of whether is 'either', can we ever have 'whether it is...'

I hope this is not too broad a question

Thank you

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Can you show us some sentences that illustrate what you are asking about?

eg Are you thinking of something like this? I love women, whether young or old.

Clive

English 1b3 · Answer

Yes, that is an example of one of the uses I would like explained. Also, I would appreciate the difference in meanings when 'whether' isn't synonymous.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

As I requested, please offer some actual sentences for us to comment on.

Thanks, Clive

English 1b3 · Answer

Hi,

why not start with your sentence

If you could tell me the meaning of 'whether' and 'either' in these and tell me which work and which have different meanings, that would be great, thanks. For example, I think 'whether' in a is synonymous with 'either' while in b, it has a different meaning. How do we know this?

a. He likes woman, whether young or old.

b. He likes woman, whether they are young or old.

c. He likes woman, young or old.

d. He likes woman, both young and old.

e. He likes woman, who are both young and old.

f. He likes woman, who are either young or old.

g. He likes woman, either young or old.

1. He like fishing, whether he catches something or not.

2. He likes fishing. Whether he catches something or not doesn't matter.

3. He likes fishing, regardless of whether he catches something or not.

4. He likes fishing. Regardless of whether he catches something or not doesn't matter.

1a. You must finnish this task on time, whether it is/be a challenge or not.

2a. You must finnish this task on time, be it a challenge or not.

~~3a. You must finnish this task on time, either a challenge or not.~~

Thanks hugely

Clive · Answer

Hi,

If you could tell me the meaning of 'whether' and 'either' in these and tell me which work and which have different meanings, that would be great, thanks. For example, I think 'whether' in a is synonymous with 'either' while in b, it has a different meaning. How do we know this?

Here's how I interpret these.

(You need to say 'women', not 'woman')

a. He likes woman, whether young or old. It doesn't matter if they are young or if they are old. They may also be neither, ie middle -aged.

b. He likes woman, whether they are young or old. Same as A. 'Either' does not fit grammatically.

c. He likes woman, young or old. Similar to A

d. He likes woman, both young and old. Similar to A.

e. He likes woman, who are both young and old. Sounds odd. Seems to suggest a woman can be both young and old at the same time.

f. He likes woman, no comma who are either young or old. Seems to suggest he likes one or the other, but not both. He doesn't like middle-aged women.

g. He likes woman, either young or old.Seems to suggest he likes one or the other, but not both. And doesn't suggest he likes middle-aged women.

1. He like fishing, whether he catches something or not. It's not important to him.

2. He likes fishing. Whether he catches something or not doesn't matter. Like 1, but more explicit.

3. He likes fishing, regardless of whether he catches something or not. Like 1.

4. He likes fishing. Regardless of whether he catches something or not doesn't matter. The second part is not grammatical,

1a. You must finish this task on time, whether it is/be a challenge or not. Doesn't matter.

2a. You must fnnish this task on time, be it a challenge or not. Doesn't matter.

If you have more questions, please include the relevant sentence. It makes things easier.

Clive

English 1b3 · Answer

Hi, thanks for that. I have the same meanings as you for most.

Here are two questions. I'm sorry there are not sentences.

1) I find it hard to differentiate between the meanings given for 'whether' and 'either' when they are used differently. Are you able to explain their meanings when used differently?

conjunction --weather

1.

(used to introduce the first of two or more alternatives, and sometimes repeated before the second or later alternative, usually with the correlative or):

conjunction --either

4.

(a coordinating conjunction that, when preceding a word or statement followed by the disjunctive or, serves to emphasize the possibility of choice)

2. Also, my dictionary says whether can mean either--even though you say that a works but not g. Can you explain this too please?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

~~weather~~ whether

I prefer it if you offer sentences. It makes the discussion easier and more practical.

2. Also, my dictionary says whether can mean either--even though you say that a works but not g. Can you explain this too please?

I didn't say 'G' didn't work. I just said that I see the meaning as different.

I'll reiterate. In A, 'whether' suggests that the alternatives offered are not important, and that other alternatives may also be Ok (eg he may also like middle-aged women). In G, 'either' does not suggest this to me.

Clive

English 1b3 · Answer

Thanks.

I gave you sentences above, and you didn't give me the meaning of whether and either; you gave me the meaning of the whole clause.

Is it OK if you give me the meaning of two of any above, both whether and either? Perhaps it is a bit difficult to define these words... Thanks for your patience.

Clive · Answer

Hi again,

I gave you sentences above, and you didn't give me the meaning of whether and either; you gave me the meaning of the whole clause. That seems to me to be the best way to explain the meaning of the words. Do you not feel that you can now use these words adequately? Is there some other kind of sentence that is still confusing you? If so, what is an example?

Is it OK if you give me the meaning of two of any above, both whether and either? I already gave you my comments on the meaning of A and G.

a. He likes women, whether young or old.

g. He likes women, either young or old.

Perhaps it is a bit difficult to define these words...

Perhaps you want a very abstract kind of definition, which revolves around 'What are these words and structures called?' If so, I fear that's not something that interests me. Possibly someone else will be interested in offering you what you are looking for.

Best wishes, Clive

WarLordBlitz · Answer

Well, to choose between whether or either. try to say the sentence with whether or either within the sentence; like "My cooking of a gourmet dish can _________ be a delicious success __________ a complete disaster."

A) Whether................... or

B) Either....................or

Well... To decide if you should use Choice A or Choice B,but you have to say each choice with the sentence above; the one that sounds better is the answer.

And to answer your question English 1b3: No you cannot have "whether it is". I even searched up the word on google.

I hope you grammar nerds out there enjoy my time-wasting paragraph. I will check here for many other answers or opinion. See Ya All. "N0t C0rre(t Grammar" quoted my nerdy side.

Whether/either

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