it could either be

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "It could either be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the possibility of two different outcomes or situations. For example, "It could either be that the missing keys were left at home or they got lost on the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"I think it could either be a zone of conflict, I hope not, a zone of competition, probably.

The Economist

How long this backlash will last nobody can tell; it could either be a passing display of virility or a warning shot.

The Guardian - Books

"So it could either be due to bad weather or because of excess weight, but nothing can be ruled out," the security official said.

The New York Times

If real, it could either be dust condensing on some object, Dr. Oppenheimer explained, or the object itself, which, based on its age and brightness would be 5 to 37 times the mass of Jupiter.

The New York Times - Science

Originally, this was comparatively light and short, and it could either be held overhead (or even thrown, as shown in the Bayeux Tapestry) or else gripped underhand parallel to the horse's body.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only three concepts are relevant to answering Cunningham's question, it could either be 'incompetence'inefficiencyncy' or 'corruption'corruption

Financial Innovation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

This wrecked port, a strategic prize of unsurpassed value to the rebels who hold it now, could either be Liberia's gateway to fresh bloodshed or its portal to peace after 14 years of on-and-off civil war.

The New York Times

And, most of all, I have found it impossible to imagine how Cosby could either be presumed innocent or found guilty by the jury.

The New Yorker

BB: Playing to a sold out crowd in that venue is like standing in front of a giant tidal wave...it could either be the ride of your life or the end of your surfing career.

Huffington Post

(The exact date is unknown, it could either have been late on June 26 or very early on June 27).

The Guardian - Books

It could either have been a newly introduced infection, or activation of an infection already present in the herd.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it could either be", ensure that the two options presented are clearly distinct and logically connected to the subject. This helps maintain clarity and avoids confusing the reader.

Common error

Avoid inconsistent grammatical structures after "either". For example, instead of "It could either be a dog or running", use "It could either be a dog or a cat" to maintain parallel structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could either be" functions as a connector introducing two alternative possibilities or options. It sets up a binary choice or range of possibilities, as evidenced by Ludwig examples showing varied applications across contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it could either be" serves as a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce alternative possibilities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts such as news media, science, and general writing. The phrase is best used when presenting two distinct and logically connected options, while avoiding structural inconsistencies. Related phrases offer subtle variations in emphasis, providing writers with a range of choices to express uncertainty or potential outcomes effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might alternatively be

Emphasizes the possibility of an alternative option.

it may be alternatively

Similar to 'it might alternatively be' but slightly more formal.

it could alternatively happen

Focuses on the possibility of an alternative event or occurrence.

it can potentially be

Highlights the potential for something to exist or occur in one of two ways.

it may potentially be

Combines the uncertainty of 'may' with the possibility of 'potentially'.

it might be possibly

Adds redundancy by including both 'might' and 'possibly', but maintains the meaning.

it can even become

Suggests one of the outcomes could be surprising or unexpected.

it may in fact be

Emphasizes that one of the possibilities could be the actual or true situation.

it might in reality be

Highlights that one of the possibilities may align with the actual reality.

it could conceivably be

Suggests that one of the options is imaginable or believable, though maybe not likely.

FAQs

How to use "it could either be" in a sentence?

Use "it could either be" to present two alternative possibilities or outcomes. For example, "The problem could either be a software bug or a hardware malfunction".

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

You can use alternatives like "it might be", "it may be", or "alternatively" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it could either be" or "either it could be"?

"It could either be" is the standard and more common phrasing. "Either it could be" is less conventional and may sound awkward in most contexts.

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

"It could either be" presents two distinct options, whereas "it could also be" introduces an additional option or possibility that is not necessarily mutually exclusive with the others.