either of us

USAGE SUMMARY

"either of us" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to two different people or objects, such as: "We can't decide which of us should lead the meeting, so either of us will be fine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Now it cannot be used to bug either of us".

The New York Times

It was a redemption movie, not a genre either of us particularly liked.

The New York Times

It was one of the first cigarettes either of us had smoked.

The Guardian - Music

No. Do either of us get upset about it?

Huffington Post

It could have been either of us.

The New York Times - Sports

It didn't worry either of us".

The New Yorker

Had either of us felt fluish?

The New York Times - Health

No need to compromise either of us.

The New Yorker

It's not about either of us.

The New York Times

No Surprise, no Joy for either of us.

The New York Times - Magazine

There were no records for either of us," Kirstie says.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "either of us" to clearly indicate a choice or possibility involving two specific individuals. Ensure the context makes it clear who the "us" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "either of us" when referring to a group larger than two. "Any of us" is more appropriate when the choice involves more than two people.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either of us" functions as a determiner followed by a pronoun, indicating that one of two individuals is being referred to. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, as demonstrated by the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "either of us" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to refer to one of two people. According to Ludwig AI, it is indeed correct and versatile. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it conveys a sense of choice or shared condition between two individuals. To ensure clarity, avoid using it when referring to more than two people. Alternatives like "you or I" or "any one of us two" can be considered for nuanced meanings. Understanding its correct usage and context will enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you or I

This directly states the two possibilities, differing from the inclusive sense of "either of us".

any one of us two

This alternative emphasizes the individual selection from the pair, differing from the collective sense of "either of us".

one of us two

This emphasizes the singularity of the choice between two individuals, diverging from the reciprocal sense of "either of us".

any of the two of us

This phrase highlights the selection from a group of two, slightly altering the focus from the dual possibility.

each of us two

This highlights the individual action or attribute of each person in the pair, differentiating it from the choice implied by "either of us".

both of us

This alternative phrase speaks about both parts in unison as opposed to "either of us" that speaks about the possibility of two.

the two of us

This alternative phrase identifies the two parts with a pronoun, as opposed to "either of us" that speaks about the possibility of two.

any one between us

This stresses the possibility of a single choice within the group of two, unlike the direct reference of "either of us".

whoever between us

This implies a selection based on an unknown criterion, contrasting with the simple possibility indicated by "either of us".

between you and me

This emphasizes confidentiality and shared knowledge between two people, unlike the more general "either of us".

FAQs

How can I use "either of us" in a sentence?

"Either of us" is used to indicate that one of two people can perform an action or is subject to a condition. For example, "Either of us can help you with that task".

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

"Either of us" refers specifically to two people, while "any of us" refers to a group of three or more. Use "either of us" when only two people are involved, and "any of us" when there are more than two options.

Is it correct to say "either of we" instead of "either of us"?

No, "either of we" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "either of us", where "us" is the objective case pronoun.

What are some alternatives to "either of us"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "you or I", "any one of us two", or simply specify the two individuals by name.