either of the countries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either of the countries" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to one of two countries in a context where a choice or option is being discussed. Example: "You can choose to travel to either of the countries mentioned in the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Sending an envoy has apparently not been discussed with either of the countries involved.

The New York Times

Whatever the justice of those allegations, the upshot was that the Palestinians could not do business with either of the countries on whom their hopes of independent statehood most depend.Now, in principle, they can.

The Economist

Another risk lies in interest rate changes in either of the countries.

Forbes

No significant relation was found between economic capital and the nested digital reading factor in either of the countries.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

This implies that the overall reading literacy in the Swedish private schools was somewhat better than in public schools, while there was no difference between schools in digital reading in either of the countries.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

The amount of alcohol you slosh in is really up to you, so, half a shot if you're a pretty relaxed sort of person, or a large splash if you're from either of the countries where Tiramisu or Guinness is from.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Few countries can afford the cost of career officers at every consular post, and the corps of career officials is therefore supplemented by honorary officers, usually residents engaged in trade, who are citizens either of the country that nominates them or of that in which they reside.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is just no way any of this ends well, either for the country or for me.

The Guardian

He then planned to take his ailing mother, Beatrice, either out of the country or to Hawaii.

The New York Times

However, Wetherspoon's boss Tim Martin is still in a position of trying to set up a 30-strong chain of Irish pubs without being able to sell either of the country's most famous brews - Guinness and Murphy's stout.

Independent

Transportation experts wonder why the Chinese-built railroad would not connect with Cambodia's existing train system, which is being refurbished at a cost of $141.6 million, or link with either of the country's two established ports.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "either of the countries" when you want to indicate a choice or option pertaining to one of two specific countries. It clearly conveys that the statement applies to one or the other, but not necessarily both simultaneously.

Common error

Avoid using "either of the countries" when referring to more than two countries. "Either" implies a choice between only two options; for more than two, use "any of the countries" or "one of the countries".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either of the countries" functions as a determiner phrase specifying one of two options. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in contexts involving choice or comparison between two nations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "either of the countries" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to indicate a selection or possibility related to one of two specific nations. While not overly common, it is used in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media and science. The phrase functions as a determiner phrase and is suitable for neutral to formal registers. When using this phrase, it is important to ensure that you are only referring to two countries to avoid misuse. There are several alternative phrases, such as "one of the two countries" or "in either country", which can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one of the two countries

Replaces "either" with "one", focusing on a single selection.

any of the two countries

Uses "any" to indicate a non-specific choice between the two.

in either country

Shortens the phrase while retaining the same meaning.

each of the two countries

Shifts the focus to both countries individually.

the one or the other country

Emphasizes a binary choice more explicitly.

both countries, but not necessarily together

Highlights the individual consideration of each country.

a country between the two

Focuses on choosing one of the two countries.

a choice between the countries

Emphasizes the act of making a choice.

from one country or the other

Specifies the origin from one of two options.

from both countries, but individually

Focuses on both, with a separation.

FAQs

How do I use "either of the countries" in a sentence?

Use "either of the countries" when you're presenting a choice or discussing a characteristic that applies to one of two specific countries. For example, "You can choose to invest in "one of the countries", but not both".

What's a simple substitute for "either of the countries"?

A simpler substitute would be "in "either country"". It's more concise and often works well in many contexts.

Is "either of the country" grammatically correct?

No, "either of the country" is incorrect. "Either" should be followed by a plural noun like "countries", "options", or "choices". The correct phrase is "either of the countries".

How does "either of the countries" differ from "both countries"?

"Either of the countries" indicates a choice or applicability to one of the two, whereas "both countries" refers to both countries together or individually. "Either of the countries" suggests a selection, while "both countries" suggests a combined or separate consideration of both.