both and either

[aysaa]

Hello,

1. The film was shown on both BBC1 and BBC2, and on Channel 5.

2. The film will be shown either BBC1 or BBC2, or Channel 5.

3. Can a person be both a girl and a boy?

4. Can a person be both girl and boy?

I am just wondering if the sentences I have written are grammatically correct or not.

Thanks.

 

[bhaisahab]

Hello,

1. The film was shown on both BBC1 and BBC2, and on Channel 5.

2. The film will be shown either BBC1 or BBC2, or Channel 5.

3. Can a person be both a girl and a boy?

4. Can a person be both girl and boy?

I am just wondering if the sentences I have written are grammatically correct or not.

Thanks.

Yes, they are.

 

[Kotfor]

However, is it not true that both and either, if we strictly comly with the grammar rules, should be used only with two objects?

 

[Raymott]

However, is it not true that both and either, if we strictly comply with the grammar rules, should be used only with two objects?

Yes, and 'both' and 'either' refer to only two entities in the above.
Here's another one: You can have either chicken or beef, and vegetables. 'Either' refers to the first two, not the third.

 

[Kotfor]

How do we handle it when we have three objects?

 

[emsr2d2]

How do we handle it when we have three objects?

You can have chicken, beef or vegetables.
You can have chicken or beef or vegetables.

The second one is as unambiguous as you can make it. There is no replacement for the word "either" once you have more than two choices.

 

[5jj]

2. The film will be shown either BBC1 or BBC2, or Channel 5.

You need an 'on' before 'either'.