either very

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either very" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where a choice or comparison is being made, but "very" does not fit well with "either." Example: "You can either very much enjoy the movie or find it boring." (This is incorrect.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They're either very good or very bad".

The Guardian - Sport

Great books are usually either very short - or very long.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'd say you're either very knowledgeable or very drunk".

The New Yorker

The video is either very jerky or very blurry.

The New York Times - Tech

That sounds either very sane or very insecure.

The New York Times - Magazine

"People are either very for or very against her.

The New Yorker

"We're either very boring or very well-mated," Bassman said.

The New Yorker

I thought he is either very wise or very dumb.

Independent

It's either very timely or very political or controversial.

The New York Times

Character-wise, she explained: "I am either very happy or very angry all of the time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He said his co-workers were either very encouraging or think his commute is crazy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "either very" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "either quite", "either extremely", or restructuring the sentence for clarity and correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is to directly pair "either" with "very" as an intensifier. Remember that "either" introduces a choice between two options, so ensure that the subsequent adjectives or adverbs are appropriately balanced and grammatically sound. For example, use "either very good or very bad" instead of "either very good or bad".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either very" functions as a conjunction phrase, but it is grammatically questionable. While attempting to express a choice or condition, the direct combination of "either" with "very" creates an awkward structure. Ludwig AI highlights that the phrase is not considered correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

18%

Lifestyle

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "either very" appears frequently across various sources, including news and lifestyle publications, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. For clear and effective communication, it's best to substitute "either very" with grammatically sound alternatives like "either quite" or restructure the sentence to express the intended choice accurately. Avoiding "either very" enhances the credibility and clarity of your writing, particularly in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

either quite

Replaces "very" with "quite", offering a grammatically sound alternative for expressing a degree of something.

either extremely

Uses "extremely" instead of "very" for a stronger emphasis on the degree of something.

either really

Uses "really" as a more informal alternative to "very", maintaining a similar level of intensity.

either remarkably

Substitutes "very" with "remarkably", adding a sense of surprise or impressiveness.

either exceptionally

Employs "exceptionally" to highlight that something is beyond the ordinary.

either incredibly

Replaces "very" with "incredibly" to express a high degree of something in a more emphatic way.

either unusually

Substitutes "very" with "unusually" to indicate that something deviates from the norm.

either particularly

Uses "particularly" instead of "very" to focus on a specific aspect or detail.

either notably

Employs "notably" to emphasize a distinctive or significant characteristic.

either notably

Employs "distinctly" to emphasize a clear and noticeable difference.

FAQs

Is "either very" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "either very" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Either" is used to present a choice between two options, and the phrase does not logically fit this structure. It is recommended to use alternatives like "either quite" or to rephrase the sentence.

What are some alternatives to "either very"?

Instead of "either very", consider using phrases such as "either extremely", "either remarkably", or "either really depending on the intended meaning and context".

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

To use "either" correctly, ensure it presents a clear choice between two distinct options. For example, "You can either stay or leave" or "The movie is either very good or not good at all". The structure should always offer two alternatives.

Which is correct, "either very" or "either quite"?

The phrase "either quite" is grammatically correct, while "either very" is not. "Quite" can appropriately modify an adjective or adverb, making it a suitable alternative when expressing a degree or extent.