I was either

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was either" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce two or more possible choices. For example, "I was either going to buy a new bike or rent one for the weekend".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was either brilliant or rubbish.

The Guardian

I was either five or six, I believe.

The New Yorker

"I was either really good or really bad.

The New York Times - Sports

I was either Rosencrantz or Guildenstern," she recalled.

The Guardian

"I was told that I was either overqualified or underqualified".

The New York Times

"I was either stupendously wrong - or right," she recalls.

The Guardian - Books

And they didn't know who I was, either, so...".

The New York Times - Sports

I was either going to win or crash.

The New York Times - Sports

I was either hitting a big block or I was hitting a hook.

The Guardian - Sport

In school, I was either the complete oddball, the nerd or the freak.

Independent

"I was either going to be a hero or a goat there," Teixeira said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was either" to clearly present mutually exclusive options or states. This helps to provide clarity in your writing, especially when describing a situation with distinct possibilities.

Common error

Ensure that when using "I was either", you always follow it with a complete set of alternatives. Avoid ending the sentence abruptly after 'either' without specifying the other options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was either" serves as a connector introducing two or more alternative possibilities. It sets up a binary or multiple-choice scenario, indicating that only one of the listed options is true or occurred. Ludwig provides many examples to check.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Books

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was either" is a versatile connector used to present alternative possibilities or states. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that all alternatives are clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. Remember to clearly show all the alternatives to avoid mistakes. Consider related phrases such as "I could be either" or "I had the choice of" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was in either

Emphasizes being in one state of two options, focusing on the inclusion within a choice.

I had to be either

Implies a necessity or obligation to be in one of two states.

I could be either

Expresses the potential or ability to be in one of two states.

I felt either

Focuses on the emotional state experienced as one of two possibilities.

I would be either

Similar to 'could be', but with a stronger sense of future possibility or expectation.

I might be either

Indicates a possibility, often with uncertainty, of being in one of two states.

I became either

Highlights a transformation into one of two possible states.

I found myself either

Highlights the process of discovering oneself in one of two states.

I seemed either

Focuses on how one appeared to others, indicating an outward appearance of being in one of two conditions.

I tended to be either

Indicates a habitual inclination towards one of two conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "I was either" in a sentence?

Use "I was either" to present two or more distinct possibilities or states. For example, "I was either going to study or watch a movie".

What's a good alternative to "I was either"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I had the choice of", "My options were", or "I could either", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I was either"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct, but it must be followed by a complete set of alternatives. For example, "I was either right or wrong" is correct, but "I was either" is incomplete.

What's the difference between "I was either" and "I was both"?

"I was either" implies a choice between two or more mutually exclusive options. "I was both" implies that two characteristics or states apply to you simultaneously. They are not interchangeable.