Either is the correct spelling. Ither is a misspelling and not a word in standard English. People mix up either or ither because the word has two common pronunciations, EE-ther and EYE-ther.
The spelling stays the same for both.
Is “Ither” a Real Word?
No. Ither does not appear in standard dictionaries as an everyday English word. You won’t find it in news articles, school essays, emails, or business reports.
It does have one small history. Dictionary.com lists ither as a Scots and British dialect word that means “other.” It shows up in old Scottish poems and ballads, but nobody uses it in modern writing.
- Wrong: Pick ither seat you like.
- Right: Pick either seat you like.
What Does “Either” Mean and How Do You Use It?
Either points to one choice out of two. The word comes from Old English ǣgther, which meant “each of two.” That old meaning still sits at the heart of the word today.
| Job | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Determiner | Goes before a noun | You can use either hand. |
| Pronoun | Stands in for a noun | Either is fine with me. |
| Adverb | Means “also not” after a negative | I don’t like it either. |
| Conjunction | Pairs with “or” to offer a choice | Either call or text. |
“Either…Or” and Negative Sentences
Use either…or when you give two options.
For example: “Either we leave now, or we miss the train.“
Place either before the first option and or before the second. That keeps both choices in the same shape.
The word also works in negative sentences.
• “She can’t swim, and he can’t either” means he also can’t swim.
When either is the subject, use a singular verb:
•”Either is good enough.”
With “either…or” between two subjects, the verb usually agrees with the closer one:
• “Either the school or the parents decide.”
More Posts:Written vs Wrote – Meaning, Differences & Usage
Why Do People Write “Ither” Instead of “Either”?
Sound is the main reason. Many of us say EYE-ther, and that first sound feels like the letter I. So the brain suggests ither, because it looks like how the word sounds.
The spelling itself is also tricky. Either breaks the “i before e” rule, which is why it ends up on lists of rule-breakers. Writers who try to follow the rule often flip the letters.
- Spelling by ear instead of by memory
- Typing too fast and skipping the first e
- Relying on autocorrect, which hides the error without teaching the fix
- Searching “ither” online and seeing search engines quietly correct it
The fix is simple. The word starts with E, no matter how you say it.
A Simple Trick to Remember the Spelling
Link either with each. Both start with E, and both point to “one of” a group.
Another hook is the “ei” pair in the middle. Either shares it with neither and receive. If you can spell neither, you already know either.
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FAQs About Either or Ither
Is “ither” a real English word?
Not in standard English. It is a misspelling of either, though it survives as a Scots dialect word for “other.”
What does “either” mean?
It means one or the other of two options. In a negative sentence, it also means “also not,” as in “I don’t like it either.”
Why do people write “ither” instead of “either”?
The EYE-ther pronunciation makes the first sound feel like an I. Many people also spell by ear or type too fast.
Is “either” spelled the same in US and UK English?
Yes. The spelling is identical in both. Only the pronunciation changes from speaker to speaker.
Can I use “either” for more than two options?
It works best for two choices. For three or more, list the options and leave out either.
How do you pronounce “either”?
Both EE-ther and EYE-ther are correct. Choose the one that feels natural and keep the spelling the same.
Hi, I’m John Henry, the voice behind Grammar Nudge. I make grammar simple and easy to understand, from basic rules to advanced writing tips. Clear explanations. Practical examples. No confusion.
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