Practice
Either or ither: which spelling is correct?
You can take either train. You can take either the early train or the later one. In both sentences, the word is spelled either. Ither is not standard English spelling.
Spell either correctly and use it to present a choice, to mean one of two, and in the pattern either ... or.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
either option /ˈaɪðər ˈɑpʃən/ or /ˈiːðər ˈɑpʃən/
The short answer
Write either, not ither. Use either for one of two choices, or use either ... or when you name both choices. The word can also come before of: either of the keys will open the door.
Either route will get us to the station.
Why it works: Either means one of the two routes is possible. The sentence does not need to name both routes again.
5 more examples
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Either bus stops near the museum.
There are two buses, and one of them can take the speaker near the museum.
Not this:
Both busesstop near the museum. What changes: Both means the two buses together. Either focuses on one possible choice from the pair. -
You can either print the form or save it as a file.
Either ... or gives two actions the reader can choose between.
Not this:You can
print the form and save itas a file. What changes: And asks for both actions. Either ... or presents alternatives. -
Either of these dates works for me.
Either of comes before these dates because the sentence refers to one date from a pair.
Not this:
Neither of these datesworks for me. What changes: Neither means that no date in the pair works. -
We can meet either before lunch or after work.
The two time phrases are the alternatives in the choice.
Not this:We can meet
before lunch and after work. What changes: And means two meeting times. Either ... or means one meeting time is enough. -
Either manager can approve the request.
One of two managers has the ability to approve the request.
Not this:
Each managercan approve the request. What changes: Each considers every person in a group. Either is limited to two people or things.
Read the full guide
First, check the spelling. Either begins with ei, like the start of eight, but it is a different word. Then check the meaning. If the sentence has two possible choices, either may fit. When the sentence names both choices, pair either with or.
Start with the standard spelling
Use either when you mean one of two choices. The word begins with ei. Ither is a spelling mistake in standard English, even when it appears in a search suggestion or an older piece of writing.
Either color is fine for the invitation.
The speaker can choose one color from two possible colors.
Which spelling belongs in a sentence about one of two answers: either or ither?
Use either: Either answer may be correct.
Use either for one choice from two
Either can come before a singular noun when either of two things is possible. It does not mean that both choices happen. It leaves the final choice open.
Either key opens the side door.
One key is enough. The sentence refers to a pair of keys.
Choose the word for one possible seat from two: Either seat is available, or Both seat is available?
Use either: Either seat is available.
Pair either with or
Use either ... or when you name both alternatives. Place either before the first choice and or before the second. Keep the grammar on both sides similar so the choice is easy to read.
You can either call the office or send an email.
Call the office and send an email asks for both actions. Either ... or asks for one action.
Complete the choice: We can either meet online ___ meet at the library.
Use or: We can either meet online or meet at the library.
Use either of before a named pair
Use either of before a plural noun when the group has the or a possessive word before it. This pattern points to one member of a known pair.
Either of the elevators will take you to the lobby.
The elevators are already identified by the word the. One elevator is enough for the trip.
Which phrase fits before the reports: either report or either of the reports?
Use either of the reports because the phrase refers to a known pair.
Choose neither when no option works
Either is for one possible choice from two. Neither is for no possible choice from two. This contrast helps you check the meaning before you choose the word.
Neither route is open after the storm.
No route is available. If one route were available, either route would not be the right meaning.
Choose the word when one of two cafés is acceptable: either or neither?
Use either: Either café is acceptable.
Before you go
Remember this
Write either with ei. Use it for one choice from two, use either of before a plural group with the or a possessive word, and use either ... or when you name both alternatives. Choose neither when no option in the pair works.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Either or ither: which spelling is correct?"
Is ither a correct English spelling?
No. In standard English, write either when you mean one of two choices or use either ... or. The letters ei begin the word. If an old page, note, or search suggestion shows ither, revise it to either in ordinary English writing.
Either bus stops near the museum.
How do I use either and or together?
Put either before the first alternative and or before the second: You can either call the office or send an email. Try to keep the two choices parallel. In this example, both choices are verb phrases, so the sentence is easy to follow.
Both buses stop near the museum.
What is the difference between either and both?
Either refers to one possible member of a pair. Both refers to the two members together. Either bus stops near the museum means one bus is enough. Both buses stop near the museum means each bus has that same destination.
You can either print the form or save it as a file.
When should I use either of?
Use either of before a plural noun that has the, these, those, my, your, or another determiner. For example, either of the folders contains the receipt. The phrase points to one member of a known pair or a small known set.
You can print the form and save it as a file.
Can either have two pronunciations?
Yes. Many speakers say either with the vowel sound in eye, and many say it with the vowel sound in eat. Both pronunciations are widely used. The spelling and the grammar stay the same: either means one of two choices.
Either of these dates works for me.