either by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to present two or more options or methods for achieving something. Example: "You can submit your application either by email or through our online portal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The warheads could be delivered either by missile or aircraft.

The Guardian

And I don't agree with it either, by the way".

The Guardian - Film

"It was negligence, either by accident or on purpose".

The New York Times

I'm not convinced by that claim either, by the way.

The Guardian

"They were executed either by beheading or by shooting".

The Guardian

Either by intention or mistake, Thatcher had published bogus figures.

The Guardian

Either by a fluke or miracle, I've been very lucky".

The Guardian - Film

But it does not mention either by name.

The New York Times

It is done either by hand or by machine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ironwork is fashioned either by forging or casting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I haven't watched either, by the way.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "either by", ensure that the options presented are clearly distinct and mutually exclusive to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "either by" when the options are not mutually exclusive. For instance, instead of saying 'The problem was solved either by John or the team', clarify if John is part of the team or if they worked independently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either by" serves as a correlative conjunction introducing two or more alternatives, methods, or possibilities. As Ludwig AI explains, it connects these options, indicating that one of them is to be chosen or is applicable. It can be found in contexts like "Either by intention or mistake, Thatcher had published bogus figures."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "either by" is a versatile phrase used to present a choice between alternatives or methods. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal writing contexts. Its frequent presence in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources underscores its broad applicability. When using "either by", ensure that the options are distinct and mutually exclusive. Remember that you can replace it for example with "either via" or "using either" for increased clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

using either

A more straightforward alternative to expressing a selection of available options.

via either

A shorter, more direct way of indicating a choice of methods.

through either

Reverses the order, emphasizing the method before the alternatives.

by way of either

Suggests a means or route involving the alternatives.

by means of either

Formal way of saying using either of available options.

selected by either

Indicates that something is chosen or determined by one of two options.

determined by either

Indicates that something is influenced or established by one of two options.

utilizing either

Highlights the use of one of the options as a resource or tool.

employing either

Similar to 'utilizing either', but with a slightly more formal tone.

applying either

Focuses on the act of putting one of the choices into practice.

FAQs

How do I properly use "either by" in a sentence?

Use "either by" to present two or more alternatives or methods for achieving a specific outcome. For example, "The package can be delivered "either by air" or sea."

What are some alternatives to using "either by"?

Alternatives include using "either via", "either through", or simply rephrasing the sentence to use "or" to connect the alternatives.

Which is correct: "either by doing X or by doing Y" or "either by doing X or doing Y"?

Both are grammatically acceptable, but the first option, "either by doing X or by doing Y", provides greater clarity and parallelism, especially in complex sentences.

What's the difference between "either by" and "both by"?

"Either by" presents a choice between two options, indicating that only one is applicable. In contrast, "both by" indicates that two options are applicable and should be used together.