but either that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but either that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought or a misphrasing. A more complete context is needed to determine its intended use. Example: "I don't agree with your point, but either that or something else needs to be considered."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This August, the company was reportedly in talks with Apple about an acquisition deal, but either that deal fell through, talks are ongoing and Fancy is just extending its runway, or the original reports were inaccurate.

TechCrunch

This is not to say that activity does not contribute to daily EE to a substantial degree, but either that other thermogenic processes such as thermogenesis or DIT are decreased to such an extent that they mask the effect of activity, or that these processes introduce sufficient noise to prevent activity EE from being determined.

Cell Metabolism

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Joe Wilson may or may not be in that camp, but, either way, that's not the news.

The New York Times

But either way, that means he thinks he is very close to being on his way out the door.

Huffington Post

But either way that will always come at a price: either quite literally, or at the expense of someone or something else.

Huffington Post

Either that, or raise taxes.

The New York Times

Either that, or a nutter.

Independent

Either that or amazingly lucky.

The Economist

"Either that, or he sinks".

The New Yorker

Either that, or tape it.

WikiHow

The cap end works best, but either end that you can balance it on is fine.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "but either that" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "but otherwise" or rephrase the sentence to eliminate the ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "but either that" as a catch-all conjunction. It often results in unclear or grammatically incorrect sentences. Ensure the conjunction accurately reflects the intended relationship between the clauses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but either that" attempts to serve as a conjunction, linking two clauses or ideas. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's often grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity. The intended function is usually to introduce a contrast or alternative.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but either that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity in formal English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It attempts to function as a conjunction, introducing a contrast or alternative, but often falls short due to its awkward construction. While it may appear in informal contexts, it is best to avoid it in formal writing and opt for clearer alternatives such as "but otherwise" or rephrasing the sentence altogether. The phrase is rare, appearing most frequently in News & Media and Science sources. Therefore, prioritize grammatical accuracy and clarity over this ambiguous phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but otherwise

Replaces the ambiguous "either that" with a clearer contrast.

but in any case

Offers a way to continue a statement despite a preceding condition.

but regardless

Emphasizes the continuation of a statement irrespective of what was previously said.

however

Provides a simple contrasting transition.

yet

Introduces a contrasting element, often unexpected.

but nevertheless

Similar to 'but regardless' emphasizing lack of impact from the previous statement.

though

Introduces a subordinate clause that contrasts with the main clause.

although

More formal than 'though' but serves the same function.

but even so

Acknowledges a prior statement but proceeds despite it.

on the other hand

Introduces a contrasting point of view or fact.

FAQs

What does "but either that" mean?

The phrase "but either that" is not a standard or grammatically correct English phrase. It's often used informally, and its meaning can be unclear without additional context. It usually implies a secondary option or condition that contrasts with a previous statement.

How can I rephrase "but either that" to be more grammatically correct?

You can replace "but either that" with clearer alternatives like "but otherwise", "but in any case", or "however", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "but either that" in formal writing?

No, it is generally not appropriate to use "but either that" in formal writing due to its ambiguity and lack of grammatical correctness. Use more precise and standard conjunctions instead.

What's the difference between "but either that" and "or that"?

"But either that" attempts to introduce a contrast to a preceding statement, while "or that" typically presents an alternative option or condition. However, "but either that" is often grammatically awkward and less clear than "or that" or other alternatives.