Key Difference:

• Each is used when you’re talking about all the items in a group, one by one.
• Either is used when you have a choice between two things.

Structured Breakdown:

1. Each

Meaning: “Each” refers to individual items in a group, with the idea that we’re considering them one at a time.

Usage:

• Use “each” when you want to emphasize every single item or person in a group.
• “Each” works for groups of two or more.
• It can be used as an adjective, pronoun, or adverb.

Examples:

• Each student in the class received a certificate. (We are talking about every individual student, one by one.)
• The apples cost $2 each. (Each individual apple has the same price.)
• Each of them was excited to join the competition.

2. Either

Meaning: “Either” is used when you’re choosing between two options or talking about both options (in a positive sense).

Usage:

• Use “either” when you are making a decision between two possibilities.
• It can also mean “one or the other” but not both at the same time.

Examples:

• You can take either the blue shirt or the red shirt. (You have two options, and you can choose one.)
• Either of the roads will lead you to the city. (Both roads are possible, but you are talking about one or the other.)
• I don’t like either option. (Neither option is good for me—this is the negative sense.)

Analogy

Think of “each” as being like a ticket collector who checks every single ticket one by one, while “either” is like choosing between two doors, where you can only walk through one!

Varied Examples:

Each:

• Each dog has its own unique collar. (Talking about individual dogs.)
• They gave each of us a gift. (Every person received a gift.)

Either:

• Either you can stay home, or you can come with us. (Choosing between two actions.)
• I don’t like either movie. (In this case, both options are being rejected.)

Common Mistakes:

• Mistake: You can choose each road.
  • Correction: You can choose either road. (“Either” is correct here because you’re choosing between two roads.)
• Mistake: Each of the two options is good.
  • Correction: Either of the two options is good. (“Either” is the right choice when you have two.)

Practice Time!

Fill in the blanks with each or either:

1. ______ student must submit their homework by Friday.
2. You can sit on ______ side of the table.
3. I don’t like ______ of the desserts on the menu.
4. ______ player on the team has their own locker.

Answers:

1. Each student must submit their homework by Friday.
2. You can sit on either side of the table.
3. I don’t like either of the desserts on the menu.
4. Each player on the team has their own locker.

Pro Tip:

• Use “each” when you’re considering all parts of a group one by one.
• Use “either” when you’re choosing between two options.