either perhaps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either perhaps" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or redundant.
It can be used when suggesting two possibilities, but it is better to choose one or the other for clarity. Example: "You could either perhaps consider a different approach or stick with the original plan."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

We could either (perhaps) get rid of Isis or we could (perhaps) get rid of Assad.

Independent

The media have shown little appetite in reflecting that view either, perhaps partly because editors and writers fall into the top-earning bracket.

The Guardian - Opinion

The death of a volunteer soldier is less dreadful than the death of a conscript; the death of either perhaps less dreadful than that of a civilian who had the misfortune to live in a strategically important town.

The Guardian - Opinion

But since hobbits never struck us as being hurried creatures, and anyone who has sat through one of Sir Peter's movies knows he isn't either, perhaps their choice of airline makes all the more sense.

The Economist

Antonio seems unable or unwilling to embrace the obvious redemptive moral - that his son is the important possession, not the wretched bicycle - and De Sica is unwilling to embrace it either, perhaps precisely because it is too obvious, or because this moral is a luxury that only well-off people can afford.

The Guardian - Film

Woolcock's tourists did not hang around, either; perhaps, like us, they realised that Bizet offered a better deal in Spain.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But I refuse to do either, or perhaps I've done both?

The Guardian

The phrase can imply either, or perhaps a bit of both.

Independent

He is beginning to suspect that his work is not improving either, that perhaps he is losing his artistic touch.

The New York Times - Books

Considering that his decision seems to have pleased few on either side, perhaps he has indeed taken a courageous stand.

The New York Times

Either way, perhaps the IPCC should interview the officer no matter what sort of funk he is in.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "either perhaps" with a single word like "possibly" or "maybe" to improve conciseness. This helps maintain clarity without sacrificing the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using multiple qualifiers like "either perhaps" in close proximity as it can make your writing seem hesitant or uncertain. Choose the strongest qualifier that best represents your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either perhaps" functions as a qualifier introducing uncertainty or possibility when presenting alternatives. As Ludwig AI notes, this combination can be seen as somewhat redundant, suggesting a need for more concise phrasing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "either perhaps" serves to introduce alternatives with a degree of uncertainty. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, its use can sometimes result in redundancy. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. For more concise and impactful writing, consider using single-word alternatives like "possibly" or rephrasing the sentence to avoid multiple qualifiers. While grammatically acceptable, clarity and precision are key considerations when deciding whether to use "either perhaps".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

or possibly

This alternative directly replaces "perhaps" with "possibly", maintaining a similar level of uncertainty after presenting an option.

or maybe

This is a shorter and more informal way to introduce a possibility.

maybe instead

This option offers an alternative, suggesting that the first option is not the only one available.

or it could be

This phrase introduces a different potential scenario, presenting an alternative explanation or outcome.

alternatively perhaps

This explicitly introduces a secondary option with a degree of uncertainty.

possibly even

This alternative increases the level of uncertainty or surprise.

it's also possible that

This alternative introduces another possible situation.

another possibility is

This phrase introduces a different potential scenario, presenting an alternative explanation or outcome.

conceivably or

This version introduces the possibility that two items are the same.

potentially or

Highlights a potential alternative, emphasizing possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "either perhaps" in a sentence?

You can use "either perhaps" to suggest two possibilities, though it's often clearer to choose one word like "maybe" or "possibly". For example, "We could "either perhaps" consider a different approach or stick with the original plan."

What's a more concise way to say "either perhaps"?

Alternatives to "either perhaps" include single words like "maybe", "possibly", or the phrase "or possibly", which avoids redundancy.

Is "either perhaps" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "either perhaps" can sound awkward. It's grammatically acceptable but may be stylistically improved by using a single qualifier such as "perhaps" or "possibly".

When is it appropriate to use "either perhaps"?

"Either perhaps" is appropriate when presenting two options and expressing some uncertainty about both. However, for clearer writing, consider using just "either" followed by the options, or replacing the entire phrase with a single word like "maybe".