either of which contain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either of which contain" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form should be "either of which contains" since "either" refers to a singular subject. Example: "The two documents, either of which contains important information, should be reviewed carefully."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Moreover, Xenopus egg extracts depleted of topo IIα can no longer support the conversion of sperm chromatin or chicken erythrocyte nuclei, either of which contain little topo II, into well-structured chromosomes [ 93, 125].

BioEssays

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There are 17 intron-containing genes, 15 of which contain one intron, and two of which contain two introns.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Mercury's surface is more heterogeneous than either Mars's or the Moon's, both of which contain significant stretches of similar geology, such as maria and plateaus.

Wikipedia

Four spending bills -- all of which contain contentious issues, including education -- are still to be passed.

The New York Times

Or it could mingle with deeper layers, some of which contain wastes pumped from the surface through injection wells.

The New York Times - Science

1985 found the trio eschewing a new album for three EPs, all of which contain standout tracks.

The Guardian - Music

The summer residents contend that it would cost $3 million to $5 million to remove the cottages, some of which contain asbestos siding.

The New York Times

The Department for Transport signed 40 agreements in the past three years, all of which contain confidentiality clauses.

Independent

That's because a yottabyte is 1,000 zettabytes, each of which contain 1,000 exabytes.

TechCrunch

The site's frontpage shows a series of microblog posts, some of which contain photos with nudity.

TechCrunch

Zurich has 12 kreis, or districts, many of which contain multiple neighbourhoods.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "either", ensure the verb agrees in number by using the singular form: "contains". For example: 'I have two options, either of which contains a risk.'

Common error

Avoid using plural verbs like "contain" with "either". "Either" is singular and must be paired with a singular verb, such as "contains".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either of which contain" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun phrase by providing additional information about a selection between two possibilities. While Ludwig highlights usage in varied sources, standard grammar dictates using "contains" to agree with "either."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "either of which contain" appears in various contexts, including scientific and news media, it is grammatically incorrect. "Either" is singular and should be paired with the singular verb "contains". As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct usage is "either of which contains". Alternatives like "each of which contains" or "both of which contain" may be more suitable depending on the intended meaning. When writing, always prioritize grammatical accuracy by ensuring verb agreement with the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

either of which contains

Corrects the grammatical error by using the singular verb form 'contains' to agree with 'either'.

each of which contains

Replaces 'either' with 'each' to emphasize individuality within a group, still requiring the singular verb 'contains'.

either of the two contains

Specifies the number to clarify a selection between two, requires the singular verb 'contains'.

one of which contains

Focuses on a single item from a group, necessitating the singular verb 'contains'.

any of which contain

Uses 'any' to indicate one or more items from a group, but typically used when there are more than two elements and in questions.

both of which contain

Uses 'both' to refer to two specific items, allowing for the plural verb 'contain'.

none of which contain

Indicates that no item from the group possesses a particular attribute, using the plural verb 'contain'.

neither of which contains

Similar to 'none' but specifically for two items, requiring the singular verb 'contains'.

all of which contain

Generalizes to the entire group, permitting the plural verb 'contain'.

that which contains

Transforms the relative clause into something more general and undefined, requiring the singular verb 'contains'.

FAQs

Should I use "either of which contain" or "either of which contains"?

The correct form is "either of which contains". "Either" refers to a singular choice between two options, requiring a singular verb form. Therefore, the grammatically correct phrase is "either of which contains".

What does "either of which contains" mean?

The phrase "either of which contains" indicates that from a group of two options, one or the other possesses a specific attribute or includes something. It highlights a shared characteristic between two possibilities, while acknowledging that only one is being considered at a time.

When is it appropriate to use "either of which contains"?

Use "either of which contains" when you are referring to two options and want to emphasize that one or the other includes or possesses a certain characteristic. It is useful for pointing out commonalities between dual choices while maintaining their individual identities.

What are some alternatives to "either of which contains"?

Alternatives include "each of which contains", which focuses on individual components; "one of which contains", which emphasizes a singular item; or "both of which contain", which is suitable when both options share the characteristic.