either of those

USAGE SUMMARY

"either of those" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to two items or options that are being compared or considered. Example: "I can't decide which movie to watch tonight - either of those options would be great."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Either of those would help.

The Washington Post

Neither will executing Mr. McVeigh accomplish either of those ends.

The New York Times

Either of those moves alone would have been risky.

The Guardian - Books

Either of those courses would include major hurdles.

The New York Times

"But, for me, I'm not either of those girls.

The Guardian

Do you know who either of those people are?

The Washington Post

Either of those names would make for interesting scraps.

The Guardian - Sport

This was not either of those moments.

The New York Times

available on either of those services).

Columbia University

And we don't have either of those".

The New York Times - Magazine

I've never read either of those".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "either of those", ensure that there are clearly only two items or options being referred to in the context. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "either of those" when referring to more than two choices. "Any of those" is more appropriate if there are more than two options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either of those" functions as a demonstrative determiner phrase, specifically identifying one of two previously mentioned entities. It guides the listener or reader to select one from the two options presented. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "either of those" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for indicating a choice between two previously mentioned options. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to guide the listener or reader to select one of the two presented choices. Predominantly found in news and media, and academic contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Be mindful to use it exclusively when referring to exactly two options to avoid ambiguity. If more than two options are available, "any of those" is a more appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

either one of those

Adds emphasis on selecting one item, making it slightly more explicit.

either alternative

Replaces "those" with the more formal "alternative" for heightened specificity.

either option

Synonymous with "either alternative", emphasizing the aspect of choice.

either possibility

Emphasizes the potential or likelihood of the options under consideration.

any of those

Broadens the selection to include potentially more than one, whereas "either" is strictly limited to one of two.

whichever of those

Suggests more open and less critical selection criteria.

one of those

Refers to only one without the explicit choice between two.

that one

Simplifies the reference to a single item from the previously mentioned options, less formal.

neither of those

Expresses negation; none of the options are applicable or chosen.

each of those

Shifts the focus to considering the items separately, not as a choice between them.

FAQs

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

Use "either of those" to refer to one of two previously mentioned options. For example, "I can choose tea or coffee; "either of those" sounds good."

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

"Either of those" specifies a choice between two options, while "any of those" implies a selection from a group of three or more.

Is it correct to say "either of these" instead of "either of those"?

Yes, "either of these" is also correct. "These" refers to items closer in proximity (physically or conceptually), while "those" refers to items further away. The choice depends on the context.

What can I say instead of "either of those" to sound more formal?

In a more formal context, consider using "either alternative" or "either option" to maintain a higher level of formality.