either of those two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either of those two" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to two people or things that you have just mentioned. For example, "I have to decide between two options; either of those two could work for my project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Had either of those two snipers scored, the Stars would have pulled into a 2-2 tie.

The New York Times - Sports

Firstly, can either of those two move the ball effectively against the ball-hawking pair of Clark and Bradley.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm not convinced by either of those two teams.

BBC

Either of those two VP nominees would shake up the race.

Huffington Post

Either of those two by- products can cause a short circuit if left in the battery compartment or on any of the electronics.

WikiHow

I loved Ace and Martha, so either of those two would be fine with me.

The Guardian

"It doesn't sound like I am going to support either of those two," he said.

The New York Times

"I believe we are much more advanced than either of those two projects," he said.

The New York Times

With either of those two choices, Revson could have become a genuine American sporting superstar.

The New York Times

Yet compared with either of those two, models now break from the gate like sprinters.

The New York Times

Not too close to either of those two danger signs and certainly not into the chasm.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure. While "either of those two" is correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider alternative phrasing for stylistic purposes.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "either of those two" when more than two items have been mentioned previously. Ensure the phrase strictly refers to only two items to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either of those two" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a choice between two previously mentioned items. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It introduces a selection, indicating that one, but not necessarily both, of the two options is being considered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

9%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "either of those two" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate a choice between two specific items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used correctly in a variety of contexts, especially in News & Media. While it is versatile, being mindful of the two items referred to and avoiding overuse is key to clear and effective writing. Exploring related phrases can also enrich your writing style. When aiming for precision and clarity in your communication, remember that 'either' strictly applies to a binary choice. Ensuring correct usage can elevate the overall quality and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

either one of them

More explicit and verbose way of saying the same thing.

any of those two

Replaces 'either' with 'any', broadening the selection to include both options possibly.

one or the other of those two

Stresses the mutually exclusive nature of the choice.

one of those two

Focuses on selecting a single item from the pair.

from those two options

Highlights the initial set of two as the basis for selection.

both of them

Shifts the focus to include both items together, rather than a choice.

between those two

Indicates the existence of a choice to be made between the two items.

each of those two

Highlights individual consideration of both items.

any one of the pair

Emphasizes a singular choice from the specified set of two.

a choice between the two

Focuses on the act of choosing, rather than the items themselves.

FAQs

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

Use "either of those two" when you want to indicate a choice between two specific options that have already been mentioned. For example, "We can go to the park or the library; "either of those two" sounds good to me."

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

"Either of those two" indicates a choice or selection of one option from a set of two, whereas "both of those two" refers to including or considering both options together.

Is it ever appropriate to use "either of those two" when referring to more than two items?

No, "either" is specifically used to refer to one of two options. If there are more than two items, you should use phrases like "any of those items" or "any of those options" instead.

What are some alternatives to using "either of those two"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "any of those two", "one of those two", or simply rephrase the sentence to avoid the need for "either of those two" altogether.