either one of these

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either one of these" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a choice between two options or items. Example: "You can choose either one of these two books for your reading assignment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If either one of these theses come true, they will revolutionise the very basis of both teaching and learning.

European Journal of Futures Research

"We're willing to go forward on either one of these approaches".

The New York Times

Write your own science fiction story based on the characters in either one of these books.

The New York Times

When I put on his biker jacket and either one of these records, it totally comes out.

Vice

Previous models of tremor have largely focused on localizing the tremor pacemaker in either one of these two distinct circuits.

Brain

And if either one of these sides lose tonight, they'll be out too.

The Guardian - Sport

It's hard to imagine that either one of these New York natives would part with a single stone.

The New York Times - Style

You can build a workflow around either one of these, but it won't be pretty.

TechCrunch

In either one of these cases, the resulting equation can easily be solved analytically.

Advances in Difference Equations

Every single time a press release carries either one of these words in the first sentence, I cringe.

TechCrunch

When either one of these two conditions is not met, the method does not provide velocity estimates.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, especially in formal writing, consider rephrasing with alternatives such as "either of these".

Common error

Avoid using "either one of these" when referring to more than two items. Using "any one of these" is more appropriate when the choice involves three or more options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either one of these" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating a choice between two options. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it introduces one of two possibilities, guiding the listener or reader to select from a limited set.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

41%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "either one of these" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to present a selection between two options. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent appearance in diverse contexts, particularly in news and scientific publications. While "either of these" serves as a more concise alternative, "either one of these" remains a valid and widely understood way to express a binary choice. It's advisable to ensure that only two options are referenced when using this phrase to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

either of these

Slightly more concise and common alternative with the same core meaning.

any of these

Focuses on the possibility of selecting more than one item from the group, rather than specifically one.

one of these two

Emphasizes the limitation to only two options being available.

one or the other of these

Explicitly states the choice as being between one option or the other.

a single one of these

Emphasizes the selection of only one item.

whichever of these

Implies a degree of indifference or lack of preference between the options.

any of the aforementioned

More formal, referring to previously mentioned items.

either alternative

More succinct, implying a choice between two presented alternatives.

one from this selection

Broader alternative suitable for less formal contexts.

aforementioned options

Even more formal, relying on prior context for clarity.

FAQs

How does "either one of these" differ from "either of these"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable, "either of these" is more concise and frequently used. "Either one of these" adds emphasis but can sometimes sound slightly less formal.

When should I use "any one of these" instead of "either one of these"?

"Either one of these" is used when you have two options. If you have three or more options, the correct phrase is "any one of these".

Is it ever incorrect to use "either one of these"?

The phrase is grammatically correct. However, in very formal writing, consider using "either of these" for greater conciseness and stylistic preference.

What are some alternatives to "either one of these" to avoid repetition?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "any of these", "either alternative", or "whichever you prefer" to introduce variety into your writing.