either then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either then" is not correct as written.
It should be "either," or "then" depending on the sentence structure. For example: I needed to leave work early, so I either left then or at the end of the day.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If people tell me they've never had either, then I've got a bridge I'd like to sell them.

The New York Times

If you have all women or all men or a disproportionate number of either then you are not going to get the diversity of views".

The Guardian

If you're not yet sure you want an unfamiliar reporter chatting at you all night – I wouldn't be either – then just have a look at my Twitter feed.

The Guardian

Either, then, a part of fire is not fire, so that there is a body prior to the element-for every body is either an element or composed of elements-or not every body is divisible.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If you haven't played either, then the reverent tone inspired by lead designer Fumito Ueda's work might seem off-putting, or at least too awestruck for any last-gen game to justify.

The Guardian - Tech

If you can do either, then you earn the right to send them your resume.

TechCrunch

God is either then cruel or helpless, as regards all finite ill of the sort that Job endures".

SEP

http://mathworld.wolfram.com This site, too, is very good although some of the articles tend to be either then or overly technical at the expense of clarity.

Duke University

However, if right reason, which governs the universe, decides that one will not have either, then the sage follows right reason.

SEP

And Clift says, "Uhm...we haven't had a woman president either!" Then there is yelling.

Huffington Post

I do not know anything about Holmes' mental state (either then or now) and have no involvement in the case.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to show a choice, use "either...or". When indicating a sequence, use "then" after a condition. Avoid combining them directly as "either then".

Common error

Avoid using "either then" as a direct conjunction. It's often a sign of combining two different grammatical structures incorrectly. Break down your sentence to use "either...or" for choices or "then" for conditional sequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either then" functions incorrectly as a conjunction. Based on Ludwig AI, the construction is grammatically flawed, often resulting from a misunderstanding of how to properly use "either" to present choices or "then" to indicate sequence or consequence. Examples show attempts to use it in conditional or sequential contexts, but the structure is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

32%

Science

19%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "either then" is frequently encountered, but as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically incorrect. It often appears in informal writing, particularly in news articles and wiki pages. The intended purpose is usually to link a choice or condition with a subsequent event, but the phrasing is non-standard and should be avoided in formal contexts. For clarity, replace it with appropriate constructions using "either...or" for choices, or "then" for sequences. Always prioritize grammatical accuracy for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

therefore

Single word that replaces the conjunction.

consequently

Single word that replaces the conjunction.

as a result

Phrase indicating a direct outcome or effect.

in that case

Highlights a specific condition leading to a particular action or decision.

subsequently

Implies an action follows another in time or sequence.

afterward

Indicates an event occurring at a later time.

thereupon

Formal way to say immediately after that.

following that

More descriptive phrase to specify what comes next.

in turn

Highlights a chain reaction or sequence of events.

by extension

Introduces an idea related or derived from a previous point.

FAQs

How should I correctly use "either" and "then" in a sentence?

"Either" should be paired with "or" to present a choice (e.g., "You can "either stay or leave""). "Then" indicates a sequence or consequence (e.g., "If it rains, "then we will cancel"").

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

"Either...or" presents two or more options, while "then" indicates what happens next, often as a result of a condition being met. They serve different grammatical functions.

Is "either then" ever correct in a sentence?

Rarely. The phrase "either then" is generally grammatically incorrect. It might appear when "either" modifies one part of a clause and "then" introduces a subsequent clause, but this is uncommon and can usually be phrased more clearly.

What are some common mistakes people make when using "either" and "then"?

A common mistake is using "either" alone to mean "also" or "too". Another is incorrectly combining "either" and "then" as a single conjunction, when they should be used in separate clauses with distinct meanings. For example, do not say "I don't like apples either then I don't like oranges".