"either or" 是英语中表示二选一关系的常用结构,音标为英 /ˈaɪðə ɔː/、美 /ˈiðər ɔː/,基本含义为"要么……要么……""或者……或者……",用于在两个选项中做出选择。作为连词时必须与or搭配使用,连接语法结构平行的成分,如名词、动词短语、句子等,且遵循"就近原则"——谓语动词与靠近它的主语保持一致。
连接并列成分
可连接名词、动词、形容词等语法平行的结构。例如连接名词:"We can have either apples or pears"(我们可以吃苹果或梨);连接动词短语:"You can either study now or play later"(你要么现在学习,要么之后玩)。需注意避免结构不平行的错误,如不能说"We can either have apples or pears"(have apples是动词短语,pears是名词短语)。
主谓一致规则
当连接两个主语时,谓语动词与较近的主语一致。单数主语+复数主语的组合中,动词随复数主语变化:"Either the teacher or the students are wrong"(要么老师错了,要么学生们错了);若为单数+单数,则用单数动词:"Either you or he is responsible"(要么你负责,要么他负责)。
否定形式
可用"not either...or..."或"neither...nor..."表示否定选择。例如:"I like neither coffee nor tea"(我既不喜欢咖啡也不喜欢茶),相当于"I don't like either coffee or tea"。注意不可说"Either he or his wife hasn't come",这不符合英语习惯。
either-or situation:非此即彼的情况,如"It's an either-or situation—we can buy a car or go abroad"(这是个二选一的情况——我们要么买车要么出国)
either-or operation:二者择一运算(计算机术语)
either-or position:两难境地,指被迫在两个不理想选项中选择
You can either call me tonight or send me an email tomorrow.(你要么今晚打电话给我,要么明天发邮件)
Either the cat or the dog has knocked over the vase.(要么猫要么狗打翻了花瓶)
It's either too hot or too cold in this room.(这房间要么太热要么太冷)
She can either speak French or Spanish fluently.(她要么法语说得流利,要么西班牙语说得流利)
Either we leave now, or we'll miss the train.(我们要么现在走,要么就赶不上火车了)
He neither smokes nor drinks.(他既不抽烟也不喝酒)(否定形式示例)
Either you apologize, or I'll tell the teacher.(要么你道歉,要么我就告诉老师)
The test is held in either room 301 or room 302.(考试要么在301室要么在302室进行)
I don't like either of the two movies.(这两部电影我都不喜欢)
Either the manager or her assistant will attend the meeting.(要么经理要么她的助理会参加会议)
掌握"either or"的关键在于保持结构平行和遵循就近原则,它与"neither nor"(表否定并列)共同构成英语中最常用的选择关系表达。在实际使用中,需注意区分"either"单独作副词(用于否定句末表"也",如"I don't like it either")与"either or"连词结构的不同功能<