either of them

USAGE SUMMARY

'either of them' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to two or more people or things to indicate that it does not matter which one you choose. For example: "We have two options; either of them is a good choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But will either of them get built?

The Economist

Either of them could be the werewolf.

The New Yorker

Harmonize, don't demonize, either of them.

Yale University

I don't trust either of them.

The Washington Post

Certainly, nobody expected either of them to make this final.

The New Yorker

Not exactly slam dunks, either of them.

Huffington Post

Either of them could have worked.

Vice

Not for either of them.

The New York Times - Sports

Should either of them?

The Guardian - Opinion

For either of them.

The Guardian - Tech

"I've never tried either of them.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "either of them", make sure the context clearly identifies the two items or people being referred to, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "either of them" when referring to more than two options; "any of them" is more appropriate in such cases. "Either" specifically denotes a choice between two.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either of them" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating a choice between two identified entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable application in written English. It appears in various contexts, maintaining a consistent grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "either of them" is a versatile phrase used to denote a selection between two specific options. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use it exclusively when referring to two choices to maintain clarity and precision in your writing. For similar expressions, you may consider "any of the two", or "one or other of those", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

any of the two

Focuses specifically on a selection from a pair.

whichever of the pair

Emphasizes choice or selection from a duo.

any one of those two

Highlights the singularity of the choice within a pair.

one or other of those

Indicates an option from two possibilities, common in British English.

each of the mentioned

Highlights that it is also possible to view them individually.

any of the aforementioned

Implies a prior listing or discussion of the options.

any of the specified

Suggests that the options have been previously defined or detailed.

either one

Shortened and more casual way of expressing the same idea, suitable for informal contexts.

both options

Expresses the interchangeability of two options.

each alternative

Emphasizes the individual consideration of each choice.

FAQs

How do you use "either of them" in a sentence?

Use "either of them" to indicate a choice between two options where selecting one is suitable. For example, "We have two cars; you can take "either of them"".

What's a good alternative to "either of them"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "either of them" include "any of the two", "whichever of the pair", or simply specifying one of the options directly.

Is it correct to use "either of them" when referring to more than two?

No, "either of them" is specifically for two options. If you're referring to more than two, use "any of them" or "any one of them" instead.

What is the difference between "either of them" and "neither of them"?

"Either of them" indicates a choice is available and one of the two options is suitable. "Neither of them" implies that both options are unsuitable or not chosen.