he either is

USAGE SUMMARY

"He either is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express uncertainty or to consider two possibilities. For example, "He either is running late or he has cancelled our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

If the charges are true, he either is a criminal or a thug.

The New York Times

At 52, he has yet to marry; he either is or isn't engaged to Mezhgan Hussainy, his make-up artist girlfriend.

The Guardian

He either is misinformed or he is misinforming.

Huffington Post

This states that the trustees must be able to say with certainty, when a potential beneficiary comes before them, that he either is or is not a beneficiary.

Wikipedia

If he doesn't appear impressed, he either is but doesn't show it, or he really isn't.

WikiHow

Dressing like this could mean that he either is trying to inappropriately catch attention, or he is having inappropriate sexual thoughts.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"He either was unaware, looked the other way or thought it was harmless.

The New York Times - Sports

The answer to that is… um… he either was taken off, or went very quiet indeed.

The Guardian - Sport

But it looked like he either wasn't paying attention or didn't like what was being said".

The New York Times

On Monday he either was asked to leave or took it upon himself to abscond with Zhila's money.

Vice

He's not very fastidious either, is he?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he either is", ensure the subsequent clause presents a clear alternative. The phrase is most effective when presenting two distinct possibilities or options.

Common error

Avoid using "he either is" without providing a clear and contrasting alternative. For instance, "He either is..." without completing the sentence leaves the reader hanging and defeats the purpose of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he either is" functions as a connector in sentences, presenting two alternative possibilities or states of being. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to introduce a choice between two options.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he either is" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for presenting two alternative possibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in news and media and wiki sources, this phrase serves to express uncertainty or offer balanced perspectives. While its frequency is uncommon, its clear function and the availability of various alternative phrases like "he might be" and "he could be" make it a valuable tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he might be

Changes the level of certainty, suggesting a possibility rather than a binary choice.

he could be

Similar to "he might be", but with a slightly stronger sense of potential.

it's possible he is

Emphasizes the possibility aspect more explicitly.

perhaps he is

Introduces a sense of uncertainty or speculation.

maybe he is

Similar to 'perhaps', indicating a possibility.

he is possibly

Reorders the words to place emphasis on possibility.

he may well be

Suggests a higher probability than 'he might be'.

he is likely to be

Indicates a strong probability.

it is conceivable he is

Highlights the conceivability of the situation.

one possibility is that he is

Expresses it explicitly that the situation is only one possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "he either is" in a sentence?

Use "he either is" to present two possibilities, such as, "He either is running late, or he forgot about our appointment."

What's a good alternative to "he either is"?

Alternatives include "he might be", "he could be", or it's possible that he is, depending on the context and desired level of certainty.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he either is"?

Yes, "he either is" is grammatically correct when followed by a complete alternative, presenting two distinct options.

What is the difference between "he either is" and "either he is"?

The phrase "either he is" places more emphasis on 'either' as a choice to be made, whereas "he either is" is a more neutral construction presenting the two possibilities.