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If vs Either - What's the difference?

if | either |

As an initialism if

is interactive fiction.

As a determiner either is

each of two.

As a pronoun either is

(obsolete) both, each of two or more.

As an adverb either is

as well.

As a conjunction either is

introduces the first of two options, the second of which is introduced by "or".

if

English

(wikipedia if)

Conjunction

(English Conjunctions)
  • Supposing that, assuming that, in the circumstances that;
    • If it rains, I will get wet .
  • Supposing that;
    • I'd prefer it if you took your shoes off.
  • Although;
    • He was a great friend, if a little stingy at the bar.
  • (computing) In the event that a statement is true (a programming statement that acts in a similar manner).
    • If A, then B, else C.
  • Whether;
    • I don't know if I want to go or not.
  • * 1715–1717 , , Alma; or, The Progress of the Mind , Canto III:
    • Quoth Matthew, “”
  • (usually hyperbolic) Even if; even in the circumstances that.
  • * 2004', (singers), “'''If It’s The Last Thing I Do” (song), in ''You Do Your Thing (album):
    • If' it’s the last thing I do / '''If''' it takes me from Tubilo to Timbuktu / '''If''' it’s the last thing I do / I’m gonna dodge every road block, speed trap, county cop / To get my hands on you / ' If it’s the last thing I do.

    Usage notes

    * Specifically a subordinating conjunction.

    Derived terms

    * iff * if and only if * if clause * if only * as if * even if * if so be

    Alternative forms

    * ifen * iffen

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (informal) An uncertainty, possibility, condition, doubt etc.
  • * 1709, Susannah Centlivre, The Busy Body'', Act III, in John Bell (ed.), ''British Theater , J. Bell (1791), page 59,
    • Sir Fran.'' Nay, but Chargy, if——— ¶ ''Miran.'' Nay, Gardy, no Ifs'''.——Have I refus'd three northern lords, two British peers, and half a score knights, to have put in your ' Ifs ?
  • * 1791 January, "Richard?on’s Chemical Principles of the Metallic Arts''", in ''The Monthly Review , R. Griffiths, page 176,
    • Well might Bergman add, (in his Sciographia,''), “if the compari?on that has been made, &c. be ju?t.” The pre?ent writer makes no ''ifs about the matter, and has ?uperadded a little inaccuracy of his own, […]
  • * {{quote-news, year=2013, date=April 9, author=Andrei Lankov, title=Stay Cool. Call North Korea’s Bluff., work=New York Times citation
    • , passage=Even if they managed to strike Japan, the United States or South Korea with nuclear weapons — a big if , given that they do not have a reliable delivery system — they could not save themselves from ultimate defeat.}}

    Derived terms

    * big if *

    See also

    * and * else * false * or * then * true

    Statistics

    *

    Anagrams

    * 100 English basic words English subordinating conjunctions English two-letter words 1000 English basic words ----

    either

    English

    Usage notes

    In the UK the first pronunciation is generally used more in southern England, while the latter is more usual in northern England. However, this is an oversimplification, and the pronunciation used varies by individual speaker and sometimes by situation. The second pronunciation is the most common in the United States.

    Determiner

    (en determiner)
  • Each of two.
  • * (John Milton) (1608-1674)
    • His flowing hair / In curls on either cheek played.
  • * 1936 , (Djuna Barnes), (Nightwood) , Faber & Faber 2007, page 31:
    • Her hands, long and beautiful, lay on either side of her face.
  • One or the other of two.
  • * {{quote-news, passage=You can't be a table and a chair. You're either a Jew or a gentile.
    • , quotee=(Jackie Mason), year=2006, date=December 5, work=USA Today , title= Mason drops lawsuit vs. Jews for Jesus}}
  • (coordinating)
  • * {{quote-book, year=1893, author=(Walter Besant), title= The Ivory Gate, chapter=Prologue
    • , passage=Thus, when he drew up instructions in lawyer language

    Synonyms

    * (one or the other) * (each of two) both, each

    Pronoun

    (English Pronouns)
  • (obsolete) Both, each of two or more.
  • * , Bk.VII:
    • Than ayther departed to theire tentis and made hem redy to horsebacke as they thought beste.
  • * (Francis Bacon) (1561-1626)
    • Scarce a palm of ground could be gotten by either of the three.
  • * , III.i:
    • And either vowd with all their power and wit, / To let not others honour be defaste.
  • * (1809-1894)
    • There have been three talkers in Great British, either of whom would illustrate what I say about dogmatists.
  • One or other of two people or things.
  • * 2013 , Daniel Taylor, Danny Welbeck leads England's rout of Moldova but hit by Ukraine ban , The Guardian, 6 September:
    • Hodgson may now have to bring in James Milner on the left and, on that basis, a certain amount of gloss was taken off a night on which Welbeck scored twice but barely celebrated either before leaving the pitch angrily complaining to the Slovakian referee.

    Adverb

    (-)
  • As well.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1959, author=(Georgette Heyer), title=(The Unknown Ajax), chapter=1
    • , passage=But Richmond

    Usage notes

    either is sometimes used, especially in North American English, where neither would be more traditionally accurate: "I'm not hungry." "Me either."

    Synonyms

    * neither * too

    Conjunction

    (English Conjunctions)
  • Introduces the first of two options, the second of which is introduced by "or".
    • Either you eat your dinner or you go to your room.

    Usage notes

    * When there are more than two alternatives, "any" is used instead.

    See also

    * neither * nor * or

    Statistics

    *

    Anagrams

    * English conjunctive adverbs English indefinite pronouns English third person pronouns English words not following the I before E except after C rule 1000 English basic words