either of these

USAGE SUMMARY

"either of these" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to introduce two or more choices with the implication that the reader or speaker has a choice between the two options. For example, "Would you like to have a hotdog or a hamburger? Either of these would be a tasty option."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why burden either of these decent people with your mess?

The Guardian

Think either of these have any traction?

TechCrunch

Do either of these descriptions sound like you?

Forbes

Either of these threats could prove decisive.

The Economist

But are either of these being banned?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I can handle either of these.

The New York Times

Are either of these apparent patterns true?

The New York Times

Would either of these changes be allowed?

The New Yorker

Fortunately, they didn't do either of these.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We haven't seen either of these yet".

The New York Times

Do not make either of these changes.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting options, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the choices before using "either of these" to refer back to them.

Common error

Avoid using "either of these" when more than two options are available; "any of these" would be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either of these" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating a choice between two previously mentioned or implied options. As Ludwig AI explains, it introduces a selection from two possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

13%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "either of these" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a choice between two options, and as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in written English. With a very common frequency across diverse sources, from formal news to academic research, it serves to clearly present a binary choice. While generally neutral, the user should be mindful of context, as explained in the writing guidance section, and is generally more suitable than the alternative for a multitude of options, namely "any of these". The phrase is grammatically sound and helpful in various communicative situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one or other of these

Emphasizes the selection between two options.

either one of these

Adds emphasis to the individual selection from the available options.

one or the other of these

Similar to "one or other of these", but with slightly more emphasis on the choice.

one of these

Focuses on a single item from the group, removing the explicit choice aspect.

any one of these

Highlights the selection of a single, unspecified option from the group.

any of these

Broadens the selection, implying that more than one option can be chosen.

both of these

Indicates that both options are being considered or are applicable.

neither of these

Negates both options, indicating that neither is suitable or applicable.

either such

More formal and less common way of saying "either of these".

any these

A more concise, though less common, alternative.

FAQs

How do I use "either of these" in a sentence?

Use "either of these" to refer to one of two previously mentioned options. For example, "We can go to the park or the movies; "either of these" sounds fun".

What's the difference between "either of these" and "any of these"?

"Either of these" implies a choice between two options, while "any of these" suggests a choice among three or more options.

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

No, "either of these" should only be used when referring to two items. If there are more than two, use "any of these" instead.

What can I say instead of "either of these"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "one of these" (to select a single option), "any of these" (for multiple options), or "neither of these" (to negate both options).