Grammar · Free lesson
TOEFL sentence practice: either…or alternatives
Practice sentence structure that can support preparation for the current TOEFL iBT Build a Sentence task. These original choices and word pieces are a short grammar exercise, not an official test item or complete simulation.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
“You can either submit the form online or mail it” offers two ways to send the form. After can, both alternatives use the base verb: submit and mail. Either introduces one alternative; or introduces the other.
Give both alternatives a matching grammatical shape.
In this pattern, can applies to both actions: can submit and can mail. Do not change the second action to mailing. Either…or can also join other kinds of phrases, so check exactly which elements are being paired. Here we pair two actions, not two subjects.
Two ways to submit a form
submit the form online
mail it
You can either submit the form online or mail it.
You can submit the form either online or by mail.
The last example pairs two ways of submitting—online and by mail. It does not put either in the same position because it pairs different sentence elements.
Match the actions
Shared modal
can + submit / can + mail
Link alternatives
either submit the form online + or mail it
Try it now
Keep the alternatives parallel
Read all answers and explanations
Choose the sentence that offers two alternative actions with either.
You can either submit the form online or mail it.Either pairs with or for alternatives. Neither…nor denies both options instead.
Which verb completes the parallel structure: You can either submit it online or ___ it?
mailCan takes a base verb in both alternatives: submit and mail.
Which sentence correctly pairs two ways of submitting?
You can submit the form either online or by mail.Online and by mail are parallel ways to submit. Nor is not the partner for either, and mailed does not fit this structure.
Build it yourself
Build the two-action sentence
Use all six pieces. Start with You can and put the online action first.
Place either before the first action and or before the alternative. Select a piece again to move it back.
Your alternative-action sentence
0 of 6 piecesYour chosen pieces will appear here.
See a model answer
You can either submit the form online or mail it.
Both actions share can and use base verbs. This builder requests the online action first; other complete sentence structures can express the same alternatives.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Does either always come before the verb?
No. Its position depends on what is being paired. Compare two actions with two ways of doing one action.
either submit it online or mail it / submit it either online or by mail
Is either…or the same as both…and?
No. Either…or presents alternatives in this example. Both…and includes both. Choose the relationship you intend.
either online or by mail → alternative ways
Take it into your day
Either…or links alternatives; after can, keep both action verbs in the base form.
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