either one or all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either one or all" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a choice between a single option or multiple options being applicable. Example: "You can choose either one or all of the available options for your project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In either one or all stages, 14 compounds were detected specifically in scented rice cultivars.

Rice

Where it was not clear which component(s) of a multi-component structure are responsible for the action, the multi-component structure was annotated as a mixture (here only the mixture has been tested and so the biological activity may reside in either one or all of its individual components).

Journal of Cheminformatics

Therefore, inactivation of either one or all Wnts by either RNAi or mutations should increase the lifespan of the worm.

Aging Cell

Gene ontology terms corresponding to either one or all GO categories: biological processes (P), molecular functions (F) and cellular components (C), were assigned to each contig.

BMC Genomics

It may be argued that this population may have had impairments that influence the automaticity of movements in either one or all of the aforementioned factors related to the constrained action view.

BMC Geriatrics

Accordingly, expression of CEACAM1 mutants lacking either one or all IgC2-like domains resulted in lower numbers of endocytosed bacteria in comparison to wildtype CEACAM1 despite a similar binding of the microorganisms to the truncated receptor.

Cell Communication and Signaling

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

If fluid was obtained from either one or both breasts, all samples were combined into a single sample preservative vial.

BMC Women's Health

The structures of the target binding regions of new snoRNAs are shown in Figure 4. Candidates had either one or two stems, but all contain only one target-binding site.

BMC Genomics

Cases where the peak fraction appeared to be a single ribosome were not included in the averaging unless they were either one or two ribosomes in all three repeats.

BMC Genomics

Therefore, the probability of one-step photobleaching as a function of the fraction of two-color colocalization is: B 1 = 3 C − 2 C − 2. Since it is assumed that the telomerase complexes have either one or two TERT molecules, all labeled complexes should photobleach in either one or two steps.

eLife

More to the point, since coatings and films may consist of either one or many individually deposited layers, all of them might be divided into monolayer coatings and films, and multilayer ones.

Progress in Biomaterials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "either one or all" to clearly present a choice between a single item and a complete group, such as "You can attend either one or all of the workshops offered."

Common error

Avoid using longer or more convoluted phrases when "either one or all" succinctly expresses the intended meaning. For example, instead of saying "You can choose just one, or you can choose the entire set of options", use "You can choose "either one or all" of the options."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either one or all" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying the quantity or extent of selection. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. It indicates a choice between a singular item or the entire group of items.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

18%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "either one or all" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a choice between selecting a single item or the entire group. As per Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct. While alternatives exist, this particular phrasing provides clarity, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts. For clear communication, especially when presenting choices, "either one or all" proves a valuable option, but avoid redundancy and unnecessary length when simpler alternatives such as ""one or more"" may suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one or more

Focuses on quantity, indicating at least one item can be selected.

any one or more

Similar to 'one or more' but adds emphasis on the possibility of choosing any specific item.

select one or all

Directly instructs the selection process, suitable for guiding choices.

choose one or all

Synonymous to 'select one or all', offering a clear instruction.

a single item or the entire set

Clearly specifies the two extremes of the selection, emphasizing completeness.

one option or the full range

Highlights the extent of choice available, from a single option to a comprehensive range.

either a single item or the whole group

Emphasizes the difference between an individual selection and the entire group.

at least one, up to all

Sets the minimum and maximum limits of the selection, useful when quantifying.

one, some, or all

Breaks down the selection into individual, partial, and complete sets.

one item, several, or everything

Provides a descriptive breakdown of possible choices, from individual to complete selection.

FAQs

How can I use "either one or all" in a sentence?

Use "either one or all" to indicate a choice between selecting a single item or selecting the entire available group. For example, "Participants can complete "either one or all" of the survey sections."

What are some alternatives to "either one or all"?

Alternatives include "one or more", "any one or more", or specifying the options directly like "one, some, or all" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "either one or all"?

While it can sometimes be rephrased for brevity, "either one or all" is grammatically sound and clearly communicates the specific choice between a single item and the whole group. Its suitability depends on the desired level of explicitness.

When is it best to use "either one or all" over alternatives?

Use "either one or all" when you want to explicitly emphasize that both a single item selection and a complete group selection are valid options. This avoids ambiguity that might arise from using phrases like ""one or more"" which could imply a minimum of two items.