either it happens

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either it happens" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when presenting two possibilities or outcomes, typically in a conditional or hypothetical context. Example: "We can either go to the beach, or it happens that we stay home and watch a movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It reminds her, curled up there on the sofa in her underpants, her shirt draped over her shoulders, of another film she likes much more, also ultimately about a blind person, in which a winsome governess falls in love with the master of the house and he, after only a moment's hesitation (either it happens like that or it doesn't), with her.

The New Yorker

Either it happens to you, and there are financial and governance implications in that, or we can deliver more social housing because it's up to us what we build, because there's more flexibility.

The Guardian

Either it happens in the next 48 hours, or not".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He recalls a recent panel discussion that also featured Roxane Gay, the American writer of Haitian descent, in which the conversation turned to the kind of questions asked of writers of colour, "especially when we write about violence or atrocity, negative things, things bad that happen, the assumption is either it happened to us, or we know somebody personally who it happened to.

The Guardian - Books

Not a bad creed for the show either, as it happens.

Independent

Either way, it happened.

The New York Times

In either case, it happened more than 50 years after Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry wrote the landmark report on smoking and health that started America's smoking decline.

Huffington Post

Not even Western man either, as it happened, but our sworn enemy in the East, who went into the street, faced the bullets and the batons and said: we've had enough.

Huffington Post

Uncontained by either genre or nationality, it happens to contain two figures - the "untouchable" Dalit poet Namdeo Dhasal and the Marathi novelist-critic Bhalchandra Nemade - who'll also be making their way this week to London.

The Guardian - Books

They're geniuses, they came at a moment when to belittle them would reflect badly on the critic; either way, I hope it happens for you, it won't be within your power to decide, but such good fortune does come to some, and may you all beat the odds.

Huffington Post

But, for example, we don't have demarcation disputes if it happens that either an OT or a nurse comments on dressing ability or something like that" Consultant These quotes also reveal that this knowledge was not simply based on professional expertise but also on knowledge gained through the extent of team member's day to day work with the patient.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "either it happens" to present two distinct outcomes, emphasizing that one or the other will inevitably occur. For example, "We can invest in marketing, or "either it happens" that sales decline."

Common error

Avoid using "either it happens" when more than two possibilities exist. This phrase is designed for binary situations only. Instead of saying "The project can fail, succeed, or plateau; "either it happens"", acknowledge all possible outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either it happens" functions as a conjunction phrase, introducing a binary choice or consequence. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show it connecting a potential action with an inevitable result.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

25%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "either it happens" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for presenting a binary choice or inevitable outcome. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is uncommon, and its usage leans towards neutral contexts like news and general discussions. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "it will occur" or "it will transpire" may be more appropriate. Be mindful of using this phrase strictly when there are truly only two possible outcomes to avoid misrepresenting the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it will occur

Replaces 'happens' with 'occur', maintaining a formal tone.

it will come to pass

Emphasizes the eventual fulfillment or realization of something.

it may transpire

Suggests a possibility or unfolding of events.

it might materialize

Focuses on the potential for something to become real or concrete.

it could unfold

Highlights the gradual development or revelation of a situation.

it is destined to be

Implies a sense of fate or predetermination.

it is bound to occur

Suggests a high degree of likelihood or certainty.

it is set to happen

Indicates a planned or scheduled event.

it is on the cards

British English idiom meaning something is likely to happen.

it's in the works

Suggests that something is currently being developed or prepared.

FAQs

What does "either it happens" mean?

The phrase "either it happens" suggests that a situation will resolve in one of two ways: either a specific event will occur, or it won't. It presents a binary outcome.

How can I use "either it happens" in a sentence?

You can use "either it happens" to present two possible outcomes, often implying a sense of inevitability or acceptance. For example: "We can try our best, or "either it happens" that we fail."

What are some alternatives to "either it happens"?

Some alternatives include "it will occur", "it will come to pass", or simply stating the two possible outcomes directly.

Is "either it happens" formal or informal?

The phrase "either it happens" leans towards informal usage, although it can appear in neutral contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "it will transpire".