doesn't have either... or

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navi tasan

Key Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
United States
1) If he doesn't have either his ID or money, he is in trouble.
2) If he doesn't have his ID or money, he is in trouble.
3) If he doesn't have either of them, he is in trouble.

Do these mean:
a) He needs at least one of the two
or
b) He needs both of them

Gratefully,
Navi.
 
I would say a.
 
There is room for ambiguity.
Missing either of them is a problem. (He needs both)
or
Not having at least one of them is a problem.
 
I don't see "either" as ambiguous.
 
To me, only 3 is ambiguous.
 
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