either or both

USAGE SUMMARY

"either or both" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to two items or options, typically when giving someone the choice of picking between the two or having both. For example, "Do you want to go to the movies or rent a movie? You can do either or both."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Either, or both.

The Economist

"It may be either or both.

The New York Times - Magazine

Can Lester be either, or both?

Independent

It could be either – or both.

The Guardian - Arts

I figured either or both of those things would happen.

The New York Times

Should either or both be required to trim their operations?

The New York Times

Either or both could be heard this term.

The New York Times

And it can be contested by either or both parties.

The New York Times

The issue looks likely to dominate either or both meetings.

The Guardian

Either or both will fuel the trip home nicely.

The New York Times

Those who have selected either or both choices are the lucky ones.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering choices, use "either or both" to clearly indicate that selecting one, the other, or a combination of both is acceptable. This avoids ambiguity and ensures your audience understands all available options.

Common error

Don't use "either or both" when the context already implies that both options are permissible. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less concise. For instance, instead of saying "You can use either or both methods if they are effective", simply state "You can use the methods if they are effective" when it's obvious that using both together is an option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either or both" functions as a conjunctive phrase, connecting two options while indicating that one, the other, or a combination of both is acceptable. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "either or both" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to offer options, clarifying that one, the other, or a combination of the two is permissible. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Science, with Ludwig showcasing its versatility across contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's essential to avoid redundancy in writing and use it judiciously. Alternatives like "one or the other, or both" can provide subtle variations in meaning or tone. Understanding its function and purpose ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one or the other, or both

This alternative provides additional clarity by explicitly stating "one or the other" before including the option of "both".

any one or combination of both

This option emphasizes the possibility of any single item or a combination of the two options.

either, or a combination of the two

This phrase focuses on selecting one option or a blend of both, highlighting the combinatorial possibility.

one, the other, or a mix of both

This alternative is less formal, using "mix" to denote combining the options.

one option, another, or the two together

This version is very explicit about the togetherness of the options.

one selection, the other, or a combination

Using "selection" instead of "either" clarifies that a choice is being made among available options.

one, the other, or both combined

The addition of "combined" reinforces that the final choice includes aspects of both.

choose one, the other, or both

This phrase is direct, explicitly instructing to make a choice.

opt for one, another, or both combined

The verb "opt for" provides a slightly more formal tone and indicates a deliberate choice.

either option individually or both together

This alternative is more descriptive and emphasizes that the options can be considered "individually" or "together".

FAQs

How do I use "either or both" correctly in a sentence?

Use "either or both" when you want to indicate that one option, the other option, or a combination of the two is acceptable. For example, "You can "either call or email" the customer service, or do both."

What are some alternatives to using "either or both" in a sentence?

Alternatives include phrases like "one or the other, or both", "any one or combination of both", or simply rephrasing to say that multiple options are available.

Is it grammatically correct to use "either or both"?

Yes, "either or both" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use in reputable sources.

What's the difference between using "either...or" and "either or both"?

"Either...or" typically presents two mutually exclusive options. "Either or both" indicates that one, the other, or a combination of both options is permissible. For example, use "either...or" if a person can "either swim or run". Use "either or both" if a person can swim, run, or do both.