does either of

USAGE SUMMARY

'does either of' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when you are presenting two or more options and seeking to know if one of the options is correct. For example: "Does either of these options work for you?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Does either of you fancy a massage?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Does either of them play the harp?

The New York Times

But what does either of these phrases mean?

The Economist

Nor does either of them have the actor Rob Lowe on his staff.

The New York Times

Does either of those statements seem more outrageous than the other?

The New York Times

Does either of you plan to keep working after enrolling in Social Security?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Do either of you believe in ghosts?

The Guardian - Film

Did either of you kill anything?

The Guardian - Music

Fortunately, they didn't do either of these.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

My statement doesn't do either of these.

The Washington Post

Do (either of) you believe the film to be accurate?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does either of" when presenting two distinct options and inquiring about the applicability or truth of either one. It implies a binary choice.

Common error

Avoid using "does either of" when there are more than two options. For multiple choices, use "does any of" or rephrase to reflect a broader selection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does either of" functions as an interrogative determiner introducing a question that seeks to confirm whether at least one of two specified options or individuals fulfills a certain condition. As Ludwig AI shows, it is commonly used to inquire about preferences, abilities, or attributes related to two choices.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does either of" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to inquire about the applicability of a condition to one of two options. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common phrase found in various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific publications. When employing this phrase, ensure that you are indeed presenting two distinct choices, and use "does either of" only when you expect a binary response. For scenarios involving more than two options, consider alternatives like "does any of". Be attentive in using it to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is one or the other

Emphasizes the selection of exactly one option from the available choices.

is one of these

Highlights the selection from a predefined group of options.

is one of them

Focuses on identifying a single option that meets a specific condition or criteria.

do any of them

Broadens the scope to include more than two options.

is there one that

Shifts the focus to the existence of a suitable option.

could one of them

Explores the potential for one of the options to satisfy a certain condition.

perhaps one of

Introduces a degree of uncertainty or possibility.

might one of these

Expresses a weaker possibility or chance.

maybe one of

Suggests a potential option with a hint of tentativeness.

is it possible that one

Explores the possibility of a particular option being viable.

FAQs

How to use "does either of" in a sentence?

Use "does either of" to present two options and ask if at least one is valid or applicable. For example, "Does either of you have a pen I can borrow?"

What's the difference between "does either of" and "do either of"?

"Does either of" is used when referring to a third-person singular subject or an implied singular subject, while "do either of" is used with plural subjects like "you" or "they". For example: "Does either of them want to come?" vs. "Do either of you want to come?"

What can I say instead of "does either of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is one of them", "is one or the other", or "is one of these".

Which is correct, "does either of" or "does neither of"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have opposite meanings. "Does either of" inquires if at least one option is true, while "does neither of" inquires if both options are false. For example, "Does either of you speak French?" versus "Does neither of you speak French?"