either this or that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'either this or that' can be used in written English.
It is used to present two alternatives which can be taken, and is usually followed by a comma or a colon. For example: 'You can choose either this or that: the book or the movie.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"In this area, people are either this or that," said Mayor Robert M. Walker of Vicksburg, the first black mayor in the city's 176-year history.

The New York Times

In an indirect proof, a statement and its negation (opposite) are often the only possibilities (meaning, it's either this or that).

WikiHow

The First Sonata, as the writer and producer Dominique Jameux has pointed out, is built on binary oppositions that would later feature in Boulez's "open-form" works – choose either this or that.

The Guardian - Music

First, it should be noted that, whereas for theories of the satisfaction family it is hard to avoid making the prediction that presuppositions projected from attitude contexts are of the form "x believes that φ", DRT-style theories are more flexible, and can predict either this or that the presupposition is simply φ.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"There are two possible situations one can either do this or that.

The New Yorker

"There are two possible situations — one can either do this or that.

The New Yorker

The mechanism of attention is selection: it's either this or it's that".

The New York Times - Science

"In movies we tend make things black and white: you're either this, or you're that.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They had to be seen as the good guys, and not as either this administration or that administration".

The Guardian

I think that's why I went back, and my last film Sanctity was about that, about going back and realizing I don't have to choose either this culture or that culture.

Huffington Post

It was either this or accept the fact that we'd stay a UK company.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "either this or that", ensure that the two options presented are mutually exclusive or clearly distinct to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using non-parallel grammatical structures after "either" and "or". For example, instead of saying "Either you can stay here or going home", use "Either you can stay here or you can go home."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either this or that" functions as a coordinating conjunction introducing two alternatives. It presents a binary choice, indicating that only one of the options is applicable or can be chosen. As Ludwig AI confirms, the structure is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "either this or that" serves as a grammatically correct conjunction phrase used to present two distinct alternatives. According to Ludwig AI, it’s commonly used in writing and speech to offer a binary choice. While not overly formal, it is versatile enough for various contexts, most often appearing in News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific sources. When using this phrase, ensure the options are clearly defined and mutually exclusive to avoid confusion. Alternatives like "one or the other" or "this option or that option" can provide similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this option or that option

More explicitly identifies the choices being presented.

this possibility or that possibility

Emphasizes the uncertainty or potential inherent in each option.

one or the other

Emphasizes the selection of a single option from two possibilities.

either alternative

Highlights that both are valid choices.

either way

Focuses on the outcome being the same regardless of the option chosen.

a choice between these options

More formal and descriptive way of presenting a selection.

choose one

A more direct command to make a selection.

the former or the latter

Refers back to previously mentioned items.

pick and choose

Implies a more discretionary selection process.

take it or leave it

Indicates a lack of flexibility regarding the options.

FAQs

How can I use "either this or that" in a sentence?

The phrase "either this or that" is used to present two alternatives. For example, "You can choose "either this or that"; the red one or the blue one."

What's a more formal alternative to "either this or that"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "one or the other" or "a choice between these options". These phrases provide a similar meaning while sounding more professional.

Is it grammatically correct to say "either this or that"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The phrase "either this or that" is a common construction used to present two possibilities, and can be followed by a colon or comma.

What's the difference between "either this or that" and "both this and that"?

"Either this or that" implies a choice between two options, meaning only one can be selected. "Both this and that" indicates that both options are applicable or true.