either of them are

USAGE SUMMARY

The correct phrase is "either of them is." You can use this phrase when you are referring to two objects or people and you need to refer to them as one singular unit.
Example: "Either of them is capable of completing this task."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

We have no clue what either of them are thinking.

The New York Times - Sports

In the end, either of them are probably capable.

The New York Times

But it hardly means that either of them are off the hook.

The Guardian - Opinion

"My other children do not understand where either of them are," said Ms. Gungen, 35, who has six younger children.

The New York Times

The Wimbledon champion added: "Whether either player was intentionally cheating or not — we don't know that, and I don't think either of them are like that — but both of them were unprofessional".

Independent

"I don't think either of them are ordering offs".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"I have no idea what either of them is," Thomas said.

The New Yorker

So far, though, there has been no empirical evidence to suggest either of them is any good.

The Economist

Either of them is sufficient to generate bistability on its own, and when acting together, a particularly robust bistability emerges.

Cell Reports

Yer da does not know who either of them is.

Vice

Neurogenesis occurs continuously in two neurogenic niches in adult mammals, either of them is the hippocampus [6], [7].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you intend to refer to both options collectively, consider using "both" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the plural verb form "are" with "either of them". "Either" refers to one of two, requiring the singular verb form "is". Correct usage: "Either of them is capable."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either of them are" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a linking verb. Although commonly used, this specific construction demonstrates subject-verb disagreement, as indicated by Ludwig AI, because "either" implies a singular subject that requires a singular verb (is instead of are).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "either of them are" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies a grammatical issue: the subject-verb disagreement. "Either" denotes a singular choice between two options, thus requiring the singular verb "is". Although commonly used, particularly in News & Media and Science, it's crucial to recognize and correct this error in formal writing. For accuracy, "either of them is" is the preferred construction. Consider using "one of them is" or specifying "both of them are" to emphasize the chosen subject, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

either of them is

Corrects the verb conjugation to singular, aligning with the singular subject "either".

one of them is

Replaces "either" with "one", emphasizing the selection of a single individual from the group of two, while correcting the verb.

each of them is

Similar to "one of them is", this emphasizes the singular aspect for each member of the two.

any one of them is

Conveys the possibility of any single individual satisfying a condition, using "any one" for emphasis.

both of them are

Shifts the focus to both individuals, implying a collective state, which contrasts with the singular implication of "either".

is either one of them

Rephrases the question to focus on whether one of the two satisfies a condition.

if either is

Shortens the phrase and focuses on a conditional situation regarding one of the two.

are any of them

Poses a question about the state of the individuals, deviating from the declarative nature of the original phrase.

whether either is

Highlights the uncertainty or conditionality around one of the options.

whichever of them is

Introduces a sense of selection without specifying which one.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "either of them" in a sentence?

When using "either of them", remember that "either" refers to one of two options. Therefore, the correct verb form is singular: "Either of them "is"".

What is the difference between "either of them is" and "both of them are"?

"Either of them is" indicates that one of the two options satisfies a condition, while "both of them are" indicates that both options satisfy the condition.

Can I use "either of them are" in formal writing?

No, "either of them are" is grammatically incorrect. In formal writing, always use the singular form: "either of them is".

What are some alternatives to "either of them is"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "one of them is" or "each of them is" to convey a similar meaning.