word choice - Is “either” only used with two options?


Does “either . . . or” apply to only two options?


For example, can I say, “It can provide either 100, 150, or 400 amps of power”? Or should it just be “It can provide 100, 150, or 400 amps of power”?



Answer



First of all, it's common usage, that is, in native English speech, to refer to multiple choices using either, but it's not entirely grammatical (from a prescriptivist's point of view). The definition of either is:



Each of two. [from 9th c.]  
One or the other of two. [from 14th c.]  



Note that I say it's common in informal speech and usage, but probably not for formal contexts.


An entire page of Wikipedia was devoted to this word, and the definition given was:



Either/or means "one or the other." Its usage, versus the simple or structure, is often for emphatic purposes, sometimes intending to emphasize that only one option is possible, or to emphasize that there are only two options.




Thus, it depends on what the context is. If in speech, then either would be appropriate. If however, in a formal context (business letter, etc.), then using either for multiple choices would be inappropriate.


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