either is acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either is acceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that one of two options is suitable or permissible. Example: "You can choose either the red shirt or the blue one; either is acceptable for the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We prefer the use of underlining to indicate italics; but either is acceptable as long as it is consistent.

Johns Hopkins University

Stock is just broth that hasn't been seasoned, so stock is generally better for braising, since it allows you to control the salt-levels, but either is acceptable.

WikiHow

Either is acceptable.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Either was acceptable, as they both shed light on a review system for analysis.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

In total, 65 percent preferred the Statue of Liberty, 27 percent preferred Sacagawea, two percent believed that either was acceptable, three percent said neither was acceptable, and an additional three percent had no opinion.

Wikipedia

Either format is acceptable.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The commission has said that either method is acceptable.

The New York Times - Science

Anything between 40/60 and 60/40 of either gender is acceptable.

Harvard Business Review

Either exam is acceptable for admission to the MIMS program.

University of California, Berkeley

Either variation is acceptable, so use whichever you prefer.

WikiHow

Either way is acceptable, but be aware that an unvarnished waxed surface is more fragile and can be marked easily.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the two options have been clearly identified in the preceding text so the pronoun "either" has a clear antecedent

Common error

Avoid using the plural verb "are" with the standalone subject "either". While colloquially common, writing "either are acceptable" is considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing because "either" is a singular distributive pronoun. Always pair it with "is" to maintain standard subject-verb agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either is acceptable" functions as an independent clause where "either" acts as a singular indefinite pronoun. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to provide a definitive validation of two mutually exclusive or interchangeable options. The structure follows a standard Subject-Verb-Adjective pattern.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

Academia

30%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "either is acceptable" is a highly efficient linguistic tool for indicating that two options are equally valid. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a grammatically correct construction, noting its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and MIT. The key to using it effectively lies in subject-verb agreement; as a singular pronoun, "either" must always be followed by the singular verb "is" rather than the plural "are". Whether you are writing an academic paper, a technical manual or a business email, this phrase provides a clear and professional way to offer flexibility without sacrificing clarity. While alternatives like "<a href="/s/either+will+do" target="_blank" rel="alternative">either will do" or "<a href="/s/both+are+fine" target="_blank" rel="alternative">both are fine" exist, the query phrase remains the gold standard for formal permissibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both are acceptable

Uses a plural construction to validate both options simultaneously

either one is fine

Adds the pronoun "one" for a slightly more conversational tone

either will do

Uses a modal verb to express that both options meet the requirement

either option is valid

Specifies "option" to emphasize the nature of the choice

both options are suitable

Shifts to a plural subject and uses a more descriptive adjective

either is permissible

Increases formality by using an adjective typically found in legal or regulatory contexts

take your pick

An idiomatic and much more informal way to offer a choice

it does not matter which

Focuses on the lack of preference rather than the quality of the options

whichever you prefer is fine

Puts the agency on the listener's personal preference

either is satisfactory

Suggests that both options meet a minimum baseline of quality

FAQs

How to use "either is acceptable" in a sentence?

You can use it to conclude a choice, for example: "You may submit your report in PDF or Word format; "either is acceptable"."

What can I say instead of "either is acceptable"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/both+are+fine" target="_blank" rel="alternative">both are fine", "<a href="/s/either+will+do" target="_blank" rel="alternative">either will do" or "<a href="/s/either+one+is+valid" target="_blank" rel="alternative">either one is valid" depending on the desired level of formality.

Which is correct: "either is acceptable" or "either are acceptable"?

The correct form is "either is acceptable". Because "either" is a singular pronoun referring to one of two things, it requires a singular verb.

What is the difference between "either is acceptable" and "both are acceptable"?

While both mean that any of the choices work, "either is acceptable" emphasizes the choice between individual items, whereas "<a href="/s/both+are+acceptable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">both are acceptable" looks at the two options as a collective pair of valid possibilities.