either

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++ei·ther1 /ˈaɪðə $ ˈiːðər/ ●●● S1 W1 conjunction  either ... or a) used to begin a list of two or more possibilities 或者…或者〔用以引出两个或多个可能的事物〕 You add either one or two cloves of garlic. 你加入一两瓣大蒜。 She’s the kind of person you either love or hate. 她是那种让你非爱即恨的人。 b) used to say that if one thing does not happen then something else will have to 要么…要么〔表示非此即彼〕 It’s your choice! Either she leaves or I will! 你看着办吧！ 要么她走，要么我走！ £75 seems a lot to pay for a starter motor, but it’s either that or a new car! 花75英镑换一个发动机启动装置似乎很贵，但要是不换的话就得换辆新车！ c) an either-or situation a situation in which you cannot avoid having to make a decision or choice 非此即彼的情况；必须作出决定[选择]的情况

Examples from the Corpus

either• Either eat some more, or take some of those meatballs home with you.• You can choose either french fries, baked potato, or mashed potatoes.either2 ●●● S1 W1 determiner, pronoun  1  UNCERTAINone or the other of two things or people 〔两者中的〕任何一个 → any There’s tea or coffee – you can have either. 有茶和咖啡，你可任选一种。 We can offer a comfortable home to a young person of either sex. 我们可以为年轻的男性或女性提供舒适的住处。either of Could either of you lend me five pounds? 你俩谁能借我五英镑？2  used to show that a negative statement is true about both of two things or people 〔用于否定句表示两者〕都不 → neither I’ve lived in New York and Chicago, but don’t like either city very much. 我在纽约和芝加哥住过，但两个城市我都不太喜欢。either of There were two witnesses but I wouldn’t trust either of them. 有两个目击者，但我都信不过。3  either side/end/hand etc both sides, ends, hands etc 两边/两端/两手等 SYN each He sat in the back of the car with a policeman on either side. 他坐在汽车后座上，两边各有一名警察。 There are shops at either end of the street. 街的两头都有商店。4  either way a) used to say that something will be the same whichever of two things happens or is true 〔两种方式中的〕任何一种方式 You can get to Edinburgh by train or plane, but either way it’s very expensive. 你可以坐火车或飞机到爱丁堡，但两种方式都很费钱。 b) more or less than a certain amount or measurement 〔数量等〕或多或少 A few marks either way can make the difference between a pass and a fail. 多几分或少几分就有及格与否的区别。 c) used to say that someone or something does not firmly support or want either one of two things 〔两者中〕任何一种都行 ‘All right, let’s do that, ’ said Camille, who didn’t care either way. “好，我们就干吧。”卡米尔说。 她无所谓，怎么都行。5  could go either way if a situation could go either way, both possible results are equally likely 两种结果都有可能 The latest opinion poll suggests the vote could go either way. 最近的民意调查显示两种投票结果都有可能。 GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?• You use either before a singular noun, with a singular verb: 用于单数名词前，其后要用单数动词5Either explanation is reasonable.两个解释都有道理。nEither explanation is possible. 5• Either of is used before a plural noun or pronoun. In formal speech and writing, use a singular verb. either of 用于复数名词或代词前，在正式讲话和文章中，要用单数动词n• You use either of before a plural pronoun or a plural noun: nI don’t believe either of them.n• In formal speech and writing, you use a singular verb: Has either of them called yet? 他俩有谁打过电话来吗？• In informal speech and writing, people often use a plural verb: 在非正式讲话和文章中，可以用复数动词Have either of them called yet? 他俩有谁打过电话来吗？

Examples from the Corpus

either• There are gas stations at either end of the block.• Do you have insurance on either one of these cars?• Sandy's brothers were standing on either side of her.either3 ●●● S1 W2 adverb  1  [in negatives]BOTH used to show that a negative statement is also true about another thing or person, or to add a different negative statement about something or someone 也(不) → neither I haven’t seen the movie and my brother hasn’t either (=he also has not seen it). 我没看过这部电影，我弟弟也没看过。 ‘I can’t swim.’ ‘I can’t either.’ “我不会游泳。”“我也不会。 It’s not an easy car to drive, and at $40,000 it’s not cheap either. 这车不容易开，而且要价4万美元，也不便宜。2  me either American English spokenXX used to say that a negative statement is also true about you 我也是〔用于否定句〕 ‘I don’t have any money right now.’ ‘Me either.’ “我现在没钱。”“我也没有。”

Examples from the Corpus

either• "Didn't she tell you her name?" "No, and I didn't introduce myself, either."• "I didn't know you could go skiing in Hawaii." "I didn't either."• Sir Bernard never recovered from the loss either.• The big bucks have not changed her life much either, Brandt avers.• But you can't eat him either, sir!

ei·ther1 conjunctioneither2 determiner →GRAMMAR1either3 adverbLDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable  

begin Corpus or to more used list a two of

either

I

ei‧ther¹ S1 W1 /ˈaɪðə $ ˈiːðər/ conjunction
either ... or
  a. used to begin a list of two or more possibilities:
    You add either one or two cloves of garlic.
    She’s the kind of person you either love or hate.
  b. used to say that if one thing does not happen then something else will have to:
    It’s your choice! Either she leaves or I will!
    £75 seems a lot to pay for a starter motor, but it’s either that or a new car!
  c. an either-or situation a situation in which you cannot avoid having to make a decision or choice

II

either² S1 W1 determiner, pronoun
1. one or the other of two things or people ⇨ any:
    There’s tea or coffee – you can have either.
    We can offer a comfortable home to a young person of either sex.
    either of
    Could either of you lend me five pounds?
2. used to show that a negative statement is true about both of two things or people ⇨ neither:
    I’ve lived in New York and Chicago, but don’t like either city very much.
    either of
    There were two witnesses but I wouldn’t trust either of them.
3. either side/end/hand etc both sides, ends, hands etc
   SYN  each:
    He sat in the back of the car with a policeman on either side.
    There are shops at either end of the street.
4. either way
  a. used to say that something will be the same whichever of two things happens or is true:
    You can get to Edinburgh by train or plane, but either way it’s very expensive.
  b. more or less than a certain amount or measurement:
    A few marks either way can make the difference between a pass and a fail.
  c. used to say that someone or something does not firmly support or want either one of two things:
    ‘All right, let’s do that,’ said Camille, who didn’t care either way.
5. could go either way if a situation could go either way, both possible results are equally likely:
    The latest opinion poll suggests the vote could go either way.
     
GRAMMAR
  Either.is used before a singular noun. Use a singular verb after it:
  ▪ Either explanation is reasonable.
  Either of.is used before a plural noun or pronoun. In formal speech and writing, use a singular verb:
  ▪ Has either of them called yet? In informal speech and writing, you can use a plural verb:
  ▪ Have either of them called yet?

III

either³ adverb
1. [in negatives] used to show that a negative statement is also true about another thing or person, or to add a different negative statement about something or someone ⇨ neither:
    I haven’t seen the movie and my brother hasn’t either (=he also has not seen it).
    ‘I can’t swim.’ ‘I can’t either.’
    It’s not an easy car to drive, and at $40,000 it’s not cheap either.
2. me either American English spoken used to say that a negative statement is also true about you:
    ‘I don’t have any money right now.’ ‘Me either.’