either sex

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either sex" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals of both male and female genders, often in contexts related to studies, surveys, or general statements about gender inclusivity.
Example: "The study was open to participants of either sex, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives."
Alternatives: "both genders" or "any gender".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Either sex would have been fine.

The New Yorker

Either sex may marry a spouse of any nationality or religion.

The Guardian - Travel

Either sex could exist in either role.

Forbes

Either sex is bad or sex is good.

TechCrunch

Healthy Swiss albino mice 25-300 g) either sex were employed for this study.

Clinical Phytoscience

Rabbits (either sex) were purchased from the local market.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

When you write, you're not either sex.

The Guardian - Books

How is this good for scientists of either sex?

The New York Times - Science

The affiliates will nominate a single applicant, of either sex.

The Guardian

In practice, outsiders of either sex face the same precipice.

The Economist

Not everyone of either sex is interested in airplanes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientific papers avoid assumptions about sex, instead report data separately for males and females.

Common error

Be aware that "either sex" implies a binary view of gender (male or female). In contexts where gender identity is relevant, consider using more inclusive language like "all genders" or "any gender identity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either sex" functions as a determiner phrase specifying that a statement or condition applies to both male and female individuals. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a standard and acceptable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "either sex" is a grammatically correct and generally acceptable phrase used to indicate that something applies to both males and females. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While common in scientific and news contexts, it's important to consider whether more inclusive language is appropriate, depending on the specific context. When using this phrase, bear in mind that it implies a binary view of sex. The phrase is most commonly found in "Science" and "News & Media" contexts and some formal business contexts.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both sexes

Replaces "either" with "both", emphasizing totality rather than choice.

both genders

Substitutes "sex" with "gender", which can be more inclusive and socially aware.

of both sexes

Reorders the phrase while maintaining the original meaning.

regardless of sex

Emphasizes that sex is not a determining factor.

of any sex

Highlights that the statement applies to individuals of any sex.

irrespective of sex

Uses a more formal tone to express the same meaning as "regardless of sex".

More alternative expressions

either male

either nationality

either dive

either orientation

either love

either pornography

either sexually

either crying

either abuse

either women

either laid

either prostitution

either patrons

either meant

either were

either strata

either infections

either happiness

either death

either paper

FAQs

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

You can use "either sex" when referring to both males and females, often in the context of research, surveys, or rules that apply to everyone. For example: "The study included participants of "either sex".".

What's a more inclusive alternative to "either sex"?

If you want to be more inclusive of all gender identities, you can use terms like "all genders", "any gender", or "people of all genders".

Is it appropriate to use "either sex" in formal writing?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, but consider the audience and context. In some situations, more inclusive language might be preferred. The phrase is widely found in formal contexts such as scientific publications and news articles.

What's the difference between "either sex" and "both sexes"?

"Either sex" implies a choice or consideration of each sex individually, while "both sexes" emphasizes the inclusion of both male and female.