either answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when presenting two options or responses, indicating that either one is acceptable. Example: "You can choose either answer, as both are valid solutions to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Either answer is upsetting, but for different reasons.

The New Yorker

Either answer does discredit to the letters' signatories.

The Washington Post

If he didn't, he'd either answer our questions or simply ignore them, not berate us.

The Washington Post

Either answer shows how carefully Lamar has thought through the tropes at hand: he's practicing hip-hop in the same way he grew up — without affiliation.

The New Yorker

Either answer shows how carefully Lamar has thought through the tropes at hand: he's practicing hip-hop in the same way he grew up without affiliation.

The New Yorker

The phone number you put on your CV should be one you can either answer immediately, or one that has voicemail.

The Guardian - Money

The IS&T Service Desk can either answer your questions about the business and educational apps used on campus, or connect you with the relevant support contact.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The tattoos were the Polynesian way of answering questions like 'Where do we come from?', the very questions that religions either answer or - to those of a Nietzschean bent - are designed to stop you asking.

The Guardian - Books

Under the 311 system, a caller would get a live person who would either answer a question outright or stay on the line as the caller was transferred to the appropriate agency and the issue settled.

The New York Times

In the UK, it's illegal to ask an interview candidate if they've got kids or plan to have them, because it's completely irrelevant to their performance – and because, as we've seen here, either answer can result in unfair discrimination.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Parents, and local NGO staff either answered for them, or required specific answering from children.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "either answer", ensure that the context clearly presents two, and only two, distinct options. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the choices.

Common error

Avoid using "either answer" when more than two options are available. Using "any answer" or "one of the answers" is more appropriate in such cases to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either answer" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, typically acting as a subject or object in a clause. It indicates that one of two possible answers is acceptable or relevant. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "either answer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that one of two possible responses is acceptable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. When using "either answer", ensure that only two options are presented to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "either option" or "any response" can be used depending on the situation. With a neutral register, the phrase is suitable for many writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

either response

Synonymous, emphasizes that both responses are considered.

either option

Focuses specifically on the choice between two defined options.

one of two answers

Specifies the selection process more explicitly.

whichever reply

Adds a sense of choice and decision.

an acceptable answer

Focuses on the answer meeting a certain standard of acceptability.

any response

Focuses on the acceptability of any response from a larger set.

a valid reply

Emphasizes the correctness and appropriateness of the response.

any alternative

Highlights the availability of more than one option.

any solution

Focuses on the solution as the result of the answer

a possible solution

Shifts the focus from responding to solving a problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "either answer" to indicate that both options are acceptable. For instance, "Either answer is acceptable, as long as it addresses the main point."

What phrases can I use instead of "either answer"?

Alternatives include "either response", "either option", or "any response", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "either answer is correct"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, it implies that there are only two possible answers, and both are right. If there are more than two correct answers, use "any answer is correct" instead.

What is the difference between "either answer" and "any answer"?

"Either answer" refers to a choice between two specific options. "Any answer" implies that there could be multiple potential solutions or responses, and any one of them would be suitable.