Korean Job Discussion Forums

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

"Either you have to finish the project, or the contract will be canceled."

According to my girlfriend's TOEFL book this sentence is correct, but she and I think otherwise. You could say:

"You have to finish the project, or the contract will be canceled."

"Either you finish the project, or the contract will be canceled."

Those are fine, right? But how can the first sentence be correct? This is not the first time I've disagreed with her book.

poet13 · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject:

I think by adding "have to", it's implying another action required by "you". Have to do this or have to DO that.
Example.
Either you have to finish the project, or you have to give it to someone who has the time.
"...or it will be cancelled.", doesn't work.

I like your first solution, but not the second. That's not to say it's incorrect, but it just doesn't feel right.

Kim Jong Jordan · Joined: 13 Mar 2004 Location: The Internet

either or, neither nor

Novernae · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

I agree that it sounds awkward.
Either you have to finish the project, or the contract will be finished.
Should be "Either you finish the contract, or the project will be finished."

Either/or gives a choice.
Either you finish the project, or the contract will be canceled. (you chose to finish it, or chose to end the contract).
Either you have to finish the project, or the contract will be canceled. (having to do something is not a choice, it is a requirement, and therefore doesn't fit the either/or scenario).

It is a very subtle difference though.

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

Right. So the book is wrong, yes?

kimchi story · Joined: 23 Nov 2006

The reverse is that if you don't have to finish the project then the contract will not be cancelled? Nonsense and gibberish.

The book is wrong.

ontheway · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:44 am Post subject:

OP: You are correct. The book is wrong. Your two alternatives are both acceptable.