Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[flaps]

hi,

which one is correct and why?

1.there were trees on both sides of the road.

2.there were trees on either side of the road.

[lotus]

Hi flaps,

Both are correct and mean basically the same thing. Number looks at the road both sides at the same time. Number 2 looks at the road one side at a time.

Often in English, you choose how you say something because of subtle differences in meaning. Number 1 looks at the road as whole, whereas number 2 looks at the road one side at a time, perhaps not expecting trees on BOTH sides of the road.


--lotus

[flaps]

thanks a lot lotus.

I heard someone talking about two options in a situation and saying
"... in either case your life is in danger".

Can we use both here instead of either?
And is it always a singular noun after either?

[lotus]

Hi flaps,

No, you cannot use "both".

Usually, we use that phrase in this context. "In an hotel fire, some people might want to open the window or go down the elevator. In either case, their life would be in danger."

Either means "one or the other". Both means "together". It would be correct if we said, "In both cases, their life would be in danger."

The answer to your second question is not necessarily. Usually it's singular, like "I can wear either a size 9 or a size 10." But, it can be "His allergies might be caused by either these peanuts or those strawberries." In the last sentence," either" is actually not necessary, but is sometimes used.


--lotus

[flaps]

I either say thanks a lot or thank you very much

just remembered another thing. I was wathching a decoration programme and the woman said : " ...you should sew either sides (or side ;can't remember exactly)of the cushion." Would it be wrong to use each side here?