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Navitasan Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Will either not... or

Are these sentences correct with the given meanings:

1-I will either not go to the theater or not watch the late show.
(I'll do one, but not both.)

2-I will either not watch the film or the football match.
(I will watch one, but not both.)

3-I will either not talk to Mark or to Dean.
(I will talk to one, but not the both of them.)

Gratefully,
Navi.
  

Top answer

1 is OK. 2 is confusing: you must move 'either'. 3 is as with 2.

  • 1 is OK.
  • 2 is confusing: you must move 'either'.
  • 3 is as with 2.
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5 Answers
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1 is OK. 2 is confusing: you must move 'either'. 3 is as with 2.
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Thank you very much Mr. Micawber,

You mean the sentences have to be:

2a-I either will not watch the film or the football match.
3a-I either will not talk to Mark or to Dean.
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No.

2a- I either will not watch the film or will not watch the football match.
2b- I will not watch either the film or the football match.

3a- I either will not talk to Mark or not talk to Dean.
3b- I will not talk to either Mark or Dean.
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Thank you very much Mr. Micawber,

So:

2b- I will not watch either the film or the football match.
3b- I will not talk to either Mark or Dean.

are ambiguous.
They could mean:
a- "either not do this or not do that." (do one but not both)
and alss:
b-"neither do this nor do that (do neither).

Am I correct?:
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I suppose that context will make sense of these.

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