Either vs. Too — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 8, 2024
Either signifies a choice between two options, e.g., "Either A or B", while "too" indicates addition or excess, e.g., "It's too hot".
Difference Between Either and Too
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Key Differences
Either is primarily used to express a choice or distinction between two alternatives. For instance, one might say, "You can either have tea or coffee." This usage emphasizes exclusivity within a given set of options. On the other hand, too is used to modify adjectives or adverbs, suggesting an excess or a degree beyond what is desirable, necessary, or allowed. For example, saying, "This coffee is too hot," implies that the temperature is higher than what would be considered comfortable or safe.
In some contexts, either can also imply any one of the two options without preference, such as in "Either option works for me," which conveys a lack of strong preference between two choices. Conversely, too can be used to indicate also or in addition, as in "I would like some coffee too," where it adds another item or preference to an existing list.
Either can function as a conjunction, determiner, or pronoun, adapting to various parts of speech to convey choice or selection. This flexibility allows it to be used in multiple syntactic positions. Whereas, too is an adverb that primarily modifies adjectives, adverbs, and sometimes verbs, focusing on the aspect of addition or excess.
Grammatically, either is often paired with "or" to form correlative conjunctions, structuring sentences that emphasize a choice between distinctly presented alternatives. This pairing is crucial for clarifying that the options are mutually exclusive. In contrast, too does not typically require a specific pairing but can be prefaced by "also" to enhance clarity or emphasis, as in "She is also too tired to continue."
In negative contexts, either is used to denote a lack of difference in preference or outcome between two negative alternatives, such as in "I don't like either option." Here, it highlights an equal disfavor towards both choices. Too, however, when used in negative contexts, often amplifies the negative attribute being discussed, such as in "It's too cold to swim," emphasizing that the conditions exceed what would be necessary to engage in the activity comfortably.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Can function as conjunction, determiner, or pronoun
Primarily an adverb
Usage Context
Indicates a choice between two alternatives
Indicates excess or addition
Typical Pairings
Often paired with "or"
Often appears with "also"
Negative Context Usage
Used to express disfavor equally towards two options
Amplifies a negative attribute
Example Sentences
"Either you leave now or stay till the end."
"It's too late to start a new project."
Compare with Definitions
Either
In affirmations to suggest any one without limitation.
Either day works for the meeting.
Too
To intensify the degree of something.
He was driving too fast.
Either
As a determiner to refer to one or the other of two.
Either option is acceptable.
Too
In negative contexts to suggest undesirable excess.
It’s too cold to play outside.
Either
In negative constructions to mean neither.
Neither of the arguments was either convincing or engaging.
Too
Used to indicate something excessive or more than needed.
This soup is too salty.
Either
Used to indicate a choice between two possibilities.
You can either stay or go.
Too
In affirmative contexts to emphasize similarity.
You think so too?
Either
As a pronoun meaning both.
There are trees on either side of the river.
Too
Meaning also or in addition.
I am going too.
Either
Used before the first of two (or occasionally more) given alternatives (the other being introduced by ‘or’)
Either I accompany you to your room or I wait here
Available in either black or white
Too
To a higher degree than is desirable, permissible, or possible; excessively
He wore suits that seemed a size too small for him
He was driving too fast
Either
Used to indicate a similarity or link with a statement just made
It won't do any harm, but won't really help either
You don't like him, do you? I don't either
Too
In addition; also
Is he coming too?
Either
Used before the first of two (or occasionally more) given alternatives (the other being introduced by ‘or’)
Available in either black or white
Either I accompany you to your room or I wait here
Too
In addition; also
He's coming along too.
Either
Used to indicate a similarity or link with a statement just made
It won't do any harm, but won't really help either
You don't like him, do you? I don't either
Too
More than enough; excessively
She worries too much.
Either
One or the other of two people or things
There were no children of either marriage
Their mortgage will be repaid if either of them dies
Too
To a regrettable degree
My error was all too apparent.
Either
One or the other of two people or things
Their mortgage will be repaid if either of them dies
There were no children of either marriage
Too
Very; extremely; immensely
He's only too willing to be of service.
Either
Used before the first of two or more coordinates or clauses linked by or
Either we go now or we remain here forever.
Too
(Informal) Indeed; so
You will too do it!.
Either
Any one of two; one or the other
Wear either coat.
Too
(focus) Likewise.
Either
One and the other; each
Rings on either hand.
Too
(conjunctive) Also; in addition.
Either
Likewise; also. Used as an intensive following negative statements
If you don't order a dessert, I won't either.
Too
(degree) To an excessive degree; over; more than enough.
Either
Any one (of two).
You can have it in either colour.
Too
To a high degree, very.
She doesn't talk too much.
I'm not too sure about this.
Either
Each of two; both.
There is a locomotive at either end of the train, one pulling and the other pushing.
Too
Used to contradict a negative assertion.
"You're not old enough yet." ― "I am, too!"
Either
Any one (of more than two).
Too
Used for emphasis, without reference to any previous statement.
Either
One or the other of two people or things.
He made me two offers, but I did not accept either.
Too
Over; more than enough; - noting excess; as, a thing is too long, too short, or too wide; too high; too many; too much.
His will, too strong to bend, too proud to learn.
Either
(obsolete) Both, each of two or more.
Too
Likewise; also; in addition.
An honest courtier, yet a patriot too.
Let those eyes that viewThe daring crime, behold the vengeance too.
O that this too too solid flesh would melt.
Such is not Charles his too too active age.
Either
As well.
I don't like him, and I don't like her either.
I know a cheap Spanish restaurant. It's not far from here, either.
Too
To an excessive degree;
Too big
Either
Introduces the first of two (or occasionally more) options or possibilities, the second (or last) of which is introduced by “or”.
Either you eat your dinner or you go to your room.
You can have either potatoes or rice with that, but not both.
You'll be either early, late, or on time.
Too
In addition;
He has a Mercedes, too
Either
One of two; the one or the other; - properly used of two things, but sometimes of a larger number, for any one.
Lepidus flatters both,Of both is flattered; but he neither loves,Nor either cares for him.
Scarce a palm of ground could be gotten by either of the three.
There have been three talkers in Great British, either of whom would illustrate what I say about dogmatists.
Either
Each of two; the one and the other; both; - formerly, also, each of any number.
His flowing hairIn curls on either cheek played.
On either side . . . was there the tree of life.
The extreme right and left of either army never engaged.
Either
Either precedes two, or more, coördinate words or phrases, and is introductory to an alternative. It is correlative to or.
Either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth.
Few writers hesitate to use either in what is called a triple alternative; such as, We must either stay where we are, proceed, or recede.
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs?
Either
After a negative statement used as an intensive meaning something like `likewise' or `also';
He isn't stupid, but he isn't exactly a genius either
I don't know either
If you don't order dessert I won't either
Common Curiosities
What are the grammatical differences between either and too?
Either can be a conjunction, determiner, or pronoun, whereas too is primarily an adverb.
Is too always used to express negativity?
No, too can also indicate addition, as in including more items or agreeing with a previous statement.
What is the primary function of either in a sentence?
Either is used to denote a choice between two exclusive options.
Can too be replaced by another word without changing the meaning of a sentence?
Too can often be replaced by "also" when it means additionally, but not when it indicates excess.
What is the difference in usage between either in affirmative vs. negative constructions?
In affirmative constructions, either generally presents optional choices positively, while in negative constructions, it shows a lack of preference for undesirable options.
Is there a context where either could imply more than two options?
Typically, either strictly implies two options, though contextually it can be used to mean one of a small, unspecified set.
How does too interact with other adverbs in a sentence?
Too can modify or intensify other adverbs, often amplifying their inherent meaning.
How does too modify the meaning of adjectives or adverbs?
Too modifies adjectives or adverbs by indicating an excessive degree or amount.
Can either be used without specifying two explicit options?
Yes, either can suggest a choice between implied options or general indecisiveness.
How does the use of either or too impact the clarity of a sentence?
Using either clarifies choices between two distinct options, while too can emphasize excess or addition, enhancing descriptive detail.
What is a common mistake made when using either?
A common mistake is using either when more than two options are present, which can confuse the intended choice set.
How can too be effectively used to enhance narrative descriptions?
Too can be used to provide emotional or descriptive depth by emphasizing an excess or noteworthy attribute in narrative settings.
What role does too play in conversational English?
In conversational English, too is often used informally to agree with someone else's statement or to add to a list casually.
Does the placement of too in a sentence affect its meaning?
Yes, the placement can emphasize the word it modifies more directly, affecting the overall intensity or scope of the statement.
Can either be used in questions?
Yes, either can be used to offer choices in questions, such as "Would you like either coffee or tea?"
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
