it is either

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is either" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you need to provide two options or explain a binary choice. For example: "It is either raining or snowing outside; I'm not sure which one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Depending on its proof, it is either combustible or flammable.

The New Yorker

It is either total insanity or peace.

The New Yorker

It is either that or chaos.

The Guardian

It is either on or off.

The New York Times - Arts

It is either nonviolence or nonexistence" (Papers 5 424).

Stanford University

And it is either some mapping or there's no match.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So it is either DeLillo or Janice Galloway (Foreign Parts).

The Guardian - Books

It is either a care home or nothing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Anyone who challenges it is either ignored or excoriated.

The Guardian

It is either great or it is terrible.

The Guardian

"It is either magic or it isn't," Adrià said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is either", ensure that the options you present are mutually exclusive to avoid confusion. Make sure the sentence is balanced, presenting two distinct possibilities clearly.

Common error

Avoid omitting the second half of the 'either/or' construction. Ensure that 'or' is followed by a clear alternative to maintain grammatical correctness and logical sense. For example: Correct: "It is either right or wrong." Incorrect: "It is either right."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is either" functions as a correlative conjunction, introducing two possibilities or alternatives. Ludwig examples showcase its role in presenting binary choices, such as "It is either nonviolence or nonexistence" or "It is either a feast or a farce of scheduling."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is either" is a versatile correlative conjunction used to present two distinct and often mutually exclusive options. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, including news articles, academic papers, and scientific publications. While alternatives exist, such as "the choice is" or "it's one or the other", "it is either" clearly conveys a binary decision. The phrase is suitable for a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that both options are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's either this or that

Emphasizes the exclusivity of the two options using "this or that".

either this is true or that is

Rephrases the sentence structure to highlight the truth value of two possibilities.

the choice is between this and that

Focuses on the act of choosing between two options.

it's a question of one or the other

Highlights the mutually exclusive nature of the two options, framing it as a question.

it's one thing or another

Uses more general terms to represent the two options.

it boils down to this or that

Implies the two options are the essential outcomes of a situation.

the alternatives are X or Y

Formally introduces two alternatives, labeling them X and Y.

it can be X or Y

Indicates that the situation can result in one of two possibilities.

it's a binary decision

Highlights the nature of the choice as having only two possible outcomes.

the options are limited to this or that

Stresses the restriction to only two possible choices.

FAQs

How do I use "it is either" in a sentence?

Use "it is either" to present two mutually exclusive options. For example, "it is either this or that."

What can I say instead of "it is either"?

You can use alternatives like "the choice is", "it's one or the other", or "either this or that depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it is either...or" or "either it is...or"?

"It is either...or" is generally preferred for clarity. "Either it is" can sound awkward, especially in complex sentences.

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

"It is either" implies certainty about one of two options. "It could be either" suggests uncertainty and that either option is possible.