either发音 [a(r)]或 [i:(r)],是一个词性丰富的单词,可以作代词,副词,连词或形容词。
一、either 作代词,意为“任何一个;每个,各方”,可以单独作主语,也可以加介词 of 作主语,谓语通常用单数。
1、单独使用 either,例如:
There are two types of qualification─either is acceptable.
有两种资格证明——任何一种都可以接受。
A: Would you like the metal or plastic one?
你要金属的还是塑料的?
B: Either will do.
两者都可以。
She warned me that I'd never marry or have children. I don't want either.
她告诫我千万不要结婚,也别要孩子。这两样我都不想要。
2、either + of + 复数名词,复数名词前要有其他限定词(my, his, the, etc.),例如:
You may take either of the two.
你可以从两个中间挑任何一个。
Either of the children can come with us; we don’t mind which.
两个孩子都可以和我们一起去,我们不介意哪一个。
我不想让我父母知道我丢了工作。
正:I don’t want either of my parents to know I’ve lost my job.
误:I don’t want either my parents to know I’ve lost my job.
3、either + of + 代词,例如:
I do not think either of them are at home.
我认为他们两个人都不会在家。
I don't agree with either of you on these issues.
在这些问题上,你们两个我都不同意。
在谈话中,可以单独使用 either 来代替前面提到过的两个东西中的任何一个,例如:
A: What colour paper do you want, white or cream?
你想要什么颜色的纸,白色的还是奶油色的?
B: Either. It doesn’t matter.
随便一个都可以。没关系。
二、either 作副词
1、用于否定词或词组后面,意为“也”,主谓不能倒装,例如:
A、助动词 be
I'm not allowed another piece of cake, so you're not either!
我不能再吃一块蛋糕了,所以你也不能!
B、助动词 do
I don't eat meat and my husband doesn't either.
我不吃肉,我丈夫也不吃肉。
A: I didn’t see Lesley at the concert.
我在音乐会上没看见莱斯利。
B: I didn’t either. = Neither/nor did I.
我也没有。
C、助动词 have
A: I've never been to the States.
我从没去过美国。
B: I haven't either. = Neither/nor have I.
我也没去过。
A: I haven’t ever tasted caviar.
我从来没吃过鱼子酱。
B:I haven’t either. = Neither/nor have I.
我也没有。
D、情态动词
Pete can't go and I can't either.
皮特不能去,我也不能。
E、其他
I've never been here before either, so it's all strange to me too.
我以前也没来过,所以对我来说也很奇怪。
2、(补充时说)而且
It was a really nice hotel, and it wasn’t very expensive either.
那是一家非常好的旅馆,而且也不贵。
She doesn’t like eggs and she doesn’t like fish either.
她不喜欢鸡蛋,也不喜欢鱼。
3、在谈话中,either 还有一个非正式的表达,例如:
A: I don't like it.
我不喜欢这个。
B: Me either. = Neither/nor do I.
我也不喜欢。
三、either 和 or 一起使用作并列连词,格式为 either ... or ..., 意为“要么……要么,不是……就是,或者……或者”,连接两个并列的单词,短语或句子,例如:
either + 名词或短语 + or + 名词或短语,例如:
I think she's either Russian or Polish.
我看她不是俄罗斯人就是波兰人。
I left it either at home or in the car.
我把它忘在家里或车里了。
I'm going to buy either a camera or a DVD player with the money.
我打算用这笔钱买一台照相机或者DVD机。
You can stay either with me or with Janet.
你要么可以和我在一起,要么可以和珍妮特在一起。
either + 句子 + or + 句子,例如:
Either he could not come or he did not want to.
他要么是不能来要么就是不想来。
Either we go by train or we rent a car. Which do you prefer?
我们要么坐火车去,要么租车去。你喜欢哪个?
Either you leave now or I call the police!
要么你现在就走,要么我报警!
either + 前缀 +or + 前缀,例如:
We can either pre- or post-date the document. I don’t mind.
我们早于或是迟于文件日期。我不介意。
四、either 作形容词,意为“任何一个的;两个”,后跟单数可数名词,谓语动词用第三人称单数,例如:
Either candidate would be ideal for the job.
两个候选人都是这项工作的理想人选。
就我个人而言,这两件夹克我都不喜欢。
正:Personally, I don’t like either jacket.
误:Personally, I don’t like either jackets.
Either restaurant will be okay, as they both serve vegetarian food.
两个餐馆都可以,因为他们都供应素食。
There were shops on either side of the street.
街的两边都有商店。