either spouse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either spouse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to refer to one of the two partners in a marriage or civil union. Example: "In the event of a disagreement, either spouse has the right to seek mediation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Should either spouse need to move out of the apartment into long-term care, the monthly fee will cover one of the Clare's 32 private skilled-nursing or 15 memory-care suites, with supplementary costs for two additional meals a day.

The New York Times

7. We repeated the process, going down the list, crossing out whatever either spouse vetoed.

Huffington Post

The federal government nevertheless levied a $365,000 estate tax, which Windsor would not have been obliged to pay had either spouse been a man.

Huffington Post

In contrast, living with a widowed father of either spouse significantly reduced parity transition rates.

Human Nature

Sixteen (32%) respondents in the intervention arm and 19 (27.9%) respondents in the control arm (χ2 test, P = 0.63) consulted either spouse (25, 22.1%) or parents (5, 4.4%) or both (5, 4.4%) before enrolling their children into the study.

BMC Medical Ethics

Consider whether either spouse made significant contributions to the other's career or education during the marriage.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

More than four thousand members of the Hai'a patrol in public places, making sure, among other things, that all women and girls past puberty are properly covered, and that men and women who are spotted together are either spouses or close relatives.

The New Yorker

In order to maximise similarities in lifestyle and habits between patients and controls controls were either spouses or genetically unrelated aquaintances of the patients.

Plosone

Family members were either spouses or siblings, aged 61 71 yrs (mean 69 yrs).

BMC Palliative Care

Control subjects were either spouses of AD patients or selected from primary-care practices situated in the same geographical areas as AD patients.

BMC Medical Genomics

Of the 14 invited family caregivers, 13 accepted participation; 3 men and 10 women They were between 38 and 93 years old and were either spouses (n = 8) or children (n = 5) of the patient.

BMC Palliative Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal contexts, ensure that "either spouse" is used when referring to the individual rights or responsibilities of both partners within the marriage.

Common error

Avoid using "either spouse" when you specifically mean to refer to both spouses collectively. In such cases, use "both spouses" or "the couple" to indicate joint action or ownership.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either spouse" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, modifying the noun "spouse" to indicate that the statement applies to one of the two partners in a marriage. As Ludwig AI states, this is correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "either spouse" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to refer to one of the two individuals in a marriage, without specifying which one. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It finds common usage in legal, financial, and general discussions about marital rights and responsibilities, and it commonly appears in sources like The New York Times and Huffington Post. While it's suitable for formal contexts, be mindful not to use it when referring to both spouses collectively; instead, use "both spouses" or "the couple". Alternatives like "either partner" can broaden the scope to include unmarried couples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

either partner

Replaces "spouse" with the more general term "partner", which can apply to both married and unmarried couples.

either marital partner

Adds the adjective "marital" to emphasize the legal status of the partnership.

either husband or wife

Specifies the genders of the spouses, providing clarity in contexts where gender is relevant.

one spouse or the other

Offers a slightly more emphatic way of saying "either spouse".

either party in the marriage

Uses legal terminology, replacing "spouse" with "party in the marriage".

either member of the couple

Uses a more descriptive phrase to refer to one of the individuals in a relationship.

each spouse

Highlights the individual rights or responsibilities of both spouses.

a spouse

Less specific, referring to a spouse without specifying which one.

either half of the couple

An informal alternative.

either consort

Uses a more formal and less common synonym for spouse.

FAQs

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

Use "either spouse" to refer to one of the two individuals in a marriage or civil union, without specifying which one. For example, "In this state, "either spouse" can file for divorce."

What is a synonym for "either spouse"?

A synonym for "either spouse" is "either partner". The word "partner" is more inclusive because it can also refer to non-married couples.

When should I use "either spouse" instead of "both spouses"?

Use "either spouse" when you're talking about an action that only one of the partners needs to take, or a right that belongs to each individually. Use "both spouses" when referring to something they must do together or a condition they share.

Is it correct to use "either spouse" in formal writing?

Yes, "either spouse" is correct and appropriate for formal writing, especially in legal documents, policy statements, and academic papers. It clearly indicates that the statement applies to each individual in the marriage separately. You may also use "any spouse" as an alternative.