Master the Use of "Either... Or": Rules, Examples, and Practice Workbook

In English grammar, "Either... or" is known as a correlative conjunction. We use it when we want to express a choice between two possibilities. While it seems simple, many students struggle with the Subject-Verb Agreement when using this pair.

In this guide, we will break down the rules and provide a complete workbook exercise to test your skills!

1. The Basic Rule: Choice

We use either... or to offer a choice between two nouns, verbs, or phrases.

  • Example: "You can have either tea or coffee."

  • Example: "We will either go to the park or stay at home."

2. The Proximity Rule (Crucial for Exams!)

When two subjects are joined by "either... or," which verb should you use? Singular or Plural?

The Rule: The verb must agree with the subject closest to it.

  • Case A: Either the teacher or the students are coming. (The verb "are" matches "students").

  • Case B: Either the students or the teacher is coming. (The verb "is" matches "teacher").

3. Rule of Parallelism

To make your sentences sound professional, the words following "either" and "or" should be of the same grammatical form.

  • Incorrect: He is either lazy (adjective) or a liar (noun).

  • Correct: He is either lazy (adjective) or dishonest (adjective).

📝 Part 1: Workbook Exercise (Fill in the Blanks)

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb in the brackets.

  1. Either my father or my brothers __________ (is/are) going to fix the car.

  2. Either the juice or the milk __________ (has/have) gone sour.

  3. Either you or I __________ (am/are) responsible for this mess.

  4. __________ (Is/Are) either the boys or their mother at home?

  5. You can choose either the red shirt __________ (nor/or) the blue one.

🚀 Part 2: MCQ Practice (Exam Style)

Choose the correct option for each question.

Q1. Identify the correct sentence: (a) Either the cat or the dogs is hungry. (b) Either the cat or the dogs are hungry. (c) Either the cat nor the dogs are hungry. (d) Either the cats or the dog are hungry.

Q2. Choose the correct verb: "Either the players or the coach ______ unhappy with the decision." (a) were (b) are (c) was (d) have been

Q3. Complete the sentence: "I will either call you ______ send an email." (a) and (b) but (c) or (d) nor

Q4. "Either of the two candidates ______ suitable for the job." (a) are (b) is (c) were (d) have

Q5. In the sentence "Either my sisters or my mother is cooking," the verb 'is' agrees with: (a) Sisters (b) Mother (c) Both (d) Neither

✅ Answer Key

Workbook Answers:

  1. are (closest to "brothers")

  2. has (closest to "milk")

  3. am (closest to "I")

  4. Is (The verb comes first in a question, agreeing with "the boys" would make it 'Are', but usually, we match the first subject in questions: Is either the boys or... - Note: In questions, some grammarians prefer matching the nearest noun.)

  5. or

MCQ Answers:

  1. (b)

  2. (c) (Coach is singular)

  3. (c)

  4. (b) (When 'either' is the subject on its own, it takes a singular verb)

  5. (b)

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