it could be either

USAGE SUMMARY

'it could be either' is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that there are two options available but the exact answer is not known. For example: When I asked her which dress she wanted, she said it could be either one.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It could be either.

The Guardian

As at present, it could be either.

The New York Times

It could be either one.

The New York Times - Books

It could be either, couldn't it.

The Guardian - Sport

The truth is, it could be either.

The Guardian - Tech

It could be either – or both.

The Guardian - Arts

"It could be either or none of them".

The Guardian - Books

It just tells the system it could be either or in this particular order besides individual.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That big-money ballad isn't as flaccid as it could be either.

The Guardian - Music

"Before, this place was rough, frightening, and it could be either one still today," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The Unnamable" is a novel about a blob "whose identity is unproved, dying, or being born--it could be either," according to Stephen Spender in The New York Times Book Review.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting two options with equal likelihood, use "it could be either" to maintain neutrality and avoid implying a preference. For example, "The outcome is uncertain; "it could be either" a success or a failure."

Common error

Avoid using "it could be either" when there are more than two possibilities. The phrase is designed for binary scenarios; for multiple options, consider using "it could be any of these" or "it could be one of several options."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could be either" functions as a connector indicating uncertainty between two options. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used to present dual possibilities without specifying which is more likely. It serves to acknowledge that either option is valid or possible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it could be either" is a versatile phrase used to express uncertainty between two possibilities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. To use this phrase effectively, ensure you are presenting only two options and avoid implying a preference. Consider alternatives like "it may be one or the other" or "either one is possible" to add nuance. Remember that "it could be either" is best suited for scenarios where only one of the two options can be true at a time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it may be one or the other

Rephrases using "may" to indicate possibility, focusing on the two distinct options.

either one is possible

Emphasizes the possibility of both options, but in a more direct manner.

both are potential options

Focuses on the potential nature of the options, removing the element of uncertainty.

it's potentially either

Uses "potentially" to highlight possibility.

it can be one or the other

Replaces "could" with "can" to suggest a general possibility rather than a specific likelihood.

one or the other is feasible

Highlights the feasibility of each option.

each is a valid option

Focuses on the validity of each option, instead of the uncertainty.

both are viable alternatives

Rephrases using "viable alternatives" to stress practicality and choice.

the possibilities include both

Highlights the inclusion of both options within a set of possibilities.

it's either this or that

Uses a more direct phrasing to explicitly state the two options, often implying a limited choice.

FAQs

How do I use "it could be either" in a sentence?

Use "it could be either" to express that two possibilities are equally likely or valid. For example, "The cause of the problem is unknown; "it could be either" a software bug or a hardware malfunction".

What can I say instead of "it could be either"?

You can use alternatives like "it may be one or the other", "either one is possible", or "both are potential options" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it could be either one"?

Yes, "it could be either one" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It emphasizes that only one of the two options is possible or correct, and you are not sure which one. The meaning is very similar to "it could be either".

What's the difference between "it could be either" and "it could be both"?

"It could be either" indicates that only one of two options is possible, while "it could be both" suggests that both options can occur simultaneously or are jointly valid.