You can have ........ of these two books

Analyze the question The sentence is "You can have ........ of these two books." The key phrase is "these two books", which refers to exactly two items. We need the word that fits this situation.

Explain the concept Some words in English depend on the number of items:

• Either is used for a choice between two things (one or the other).
• Any is used for three or more things, or for an unspecified amount.
• None means not one of them, and it is normally used for three or more. It also makes the sentence illogical here ("You can have none") unless a negative meaning is intended.
• Some is used with plural or uncountable nouns in positive statements, but it doesn't follow with "of these two books" because it doesn't express a choice between the two.

Show the solution

1. The sentence offers a choice between two books.
2. "Either of + plural noun" is a standard structure meaning "one or the other of the two": You can have either of these two books.
3. Check the other options: • "none of these two books" is awkward and doesn't suit the meaning of giving permission ("can have"). • "any of these two books" is not standard because "any" is better with more than two. • "some of these two books" doesn't make sense when only two books are mentioned.

Identify the answer The correct option is A. either.

Exam tip When you see the words "two" or "both" in the sentence, think either / neither / both. When you see three or more items, think any / none / all.