either be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a choice between two options. For example: "You can either be a teacher or go into business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Ceruzzi said they would either be sold or demolished.

The New York Times

– he'll probably either be expelled or forced to resign.

The Guardian - Opinion

Obama's stated reforms could either be monumental or miniscule.

The Guardian

It will either be alchemy or anarchy; no half-measures.

The Guardian - Music

These men should either be afforded due process, or released.

The Guardian

You must either be in government or in opposition.

The Guardian

It would either be trodden on or uprooted.

The New Yorker

"He will either be Santa Claus or Scrooge".

The New York Times

Alarms can either be internal or external signals.

The New York Times

"That can either be a plus or a minus".

The New York Times

"It would either be very good or very bad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "either be", ensure that the sentence structure clearly presents two distinct and mutually exclusive options. Avoid ambiguity by specifying both possibilities explicitly.

Common error

Avoid using "either be" without providing a clear second option. For instance, instead of saying "It can either be good", specify "It can "either be" good or bad" to complete the choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either be" functions as a correlative conjunction, introducing two alternatives. It sets up a binary choice, indicating that one of two possibilities will occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "either be" is a grammatically correct and very common correlative conjunction used to present two distinct alternatives. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and examples from various sources, including news, science, and wiki contexts, demonstrate its versatility. When using "either be", ensure clarity by explicitly stating both options to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "can also be" or "may alternatively be" exist, "either be" directly conveys a binary choice. Remember to complete the alternatives. The phrase is versatile enough to be used in neutral and formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be one of

Focuses on one option out of a list rather than a strict choice between two.

can also exist

Indicates an additional possibility beyond what's already stated.

may exist as

Suggests a possible state or form, less directly indicating a choice.

may also occur

Highlights the possibility of an event or situation taking place.

can present as

Focuses on the way something appears or is perceived.

might manifest as

Emphasizes a potential appearance or outcome, moving away from direct alternatives.

can potentially become

Suggests a future state that is not yet certain but possible.

could turn into

Implies a transformation into one of several possibilities.

can alternatively develop into

Presents a different path or development.

might as well exist

Suggests something is practically the same as another

FAQs

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

Use "either be" to present two distinct possibilities or options. For example, "The result can "either be" a success or a failure".

What is a synonym for "either be"?

While not a direct synonym, you could rephrase using "can also be" or "may alternatively be" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "either be"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct as long as it's followed by two distinct and clearly stated alternatives.

What's the difference between "either be" and "can also be"?

"Either be" implies a choice between two options, whereas ""can also be"" suggests an additional possibility without necessarily excluding others.