but either direction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but either direction" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be intended to express that something is applicable in both directions, but it needs additional context or rephrasing to be clear. Example: "You can approach the problem from either direction, but either direction will lead to the same solution."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But "either direction" might mean that if inflation fell below the central bank's official target of about 2 percent, it would be required to take action to prevent deflation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The playing surface is 11 metres longer and seven metres narrower than the SCG, but within five metres either direction of Spotless Stadium, home of the Giants.

The Guardian - Sport

"Roll over, either direction.

The New York Times

It could go in either direction".

The New York Times

I start anywhere and proceed in either direction".

The New York Times - Books

Twist/coil your hair either direction.

WikiHow

Signal that you may go either direction.

WikiHow

Most do not show differences in the incidence of fractures between patients and controls, but results in either direction have also been reported [ 11, 12].

BMC Endocrine Disorders

Democrats have to be prepared for it to move in either direction, but down is a safer bet.

The Guardian - Opinion

The signed distance profiles, and may extend indefinitely in either direction, but the weight functions, and, taper off behind the range points for reasons discussed below.

Stanford University

This works out to one vehicle about every 5.4 seconds in either direction, but during some daytime hours it is rather a car or truck every second.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating alternatives, consider using "in either case" or "either way" as grammatically sound alternatives to "but either direction".

Common error

Avoid using "but either direction" as it lacks clarity and is grammatically suspect. Opt for clearer alternatives to ensure your message is easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but either direction" is typically used as a transitional phrase to introduce an alternative or possibility. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is not grammatically correct. The intended function is to indicate that a situation could develop in one of two ways, but it needs rephrasing for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but either direction" is used to indicate alternative possibilities, however, Ludwig AI reports this phrase is not considered grammatically correct in written English. While it appears across diverse sources like news, wikis, and scientific publications, its grammatical issues suggest caution in formal writing. Common alternatives include "either way" or "in either case", providing clearer and more acceptable options for expressing similar ideas. The usage analysis reveals its rarity and highlights the importance of opting for grammatically sound alternatives in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

either way

A shorter and more common way to express the same idea.

in either case

Highlights the two distinct scenarios or possibilities.

in either way

Replaces "direction" with "way" to express a similar concept of two possibilities.

in both directions

More explicit about the two directions being considered.

regardless of the direction

Emphasizes that the outcome is the same no matter which direction is taken.

irrespective of the orientation

Uses a more formal term, "orientation", to convey a similar meaning.

in either sense

Shifts from physical direction to a more abstract sense of meaning.

from any perspective

Focuses on different viewpoints rather than physical directions.

under any condition

Broadens the scope to include any circumstance or situation.

by any means

Indicates that a goal can be achieved through multiple methods.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct way to say "but either direction"?

You can use phrases like "either way", "in either case", or "regardless of the direction" to convey the same meaning with better grammatical structure.

Is "but either direction" considered formal or informal language?

Given its grammatical issues, "but either direction" is not suitable for formal writing. Use more standard phrases like "either way" or "in either case" for a more professional tone.

Can "but either direction" be used interchangeably with "but in both directions"?

While both aim to express alternatives, "but either direction" is grammatically weak. "But in both directions" specifies that something applies to both directions, while alternatives like "either way" or "in either case" are generally better choices.

How does the meaning of "but either direction" differ from "but either way"?

The phrase "but either direction" is not correct English. "Either way" is the correct phrase to use if you want to express that two choices lead to the same result.