it was either

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was either" is a perfectly valid and correct phrase to use in written English.
For example: I had to choose between two restaurants for dinner, but it was either too expensive or too far away.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was either brave or foolish.

Independent

"It was either you or them".

The New Yorker

It was either that or cry.

Independent

It was either Try Again or Quit.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was either Trump or guaranteed war.

The Guardian

It was either that or die.

The Guardian

Alas, it was either eggplant or takeout.

The New York Times

It was either that or go blind".

The New York Times - Books

"It was either kill or get killed".

The New Yorker

It was either Bolton or bust.

The Guardian - Sport

It was either diet, or go broke.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was either", ensure that the alternatives you present are clear and mutually exclusive to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was either" without providing a clear second option. Ensure both choices are explicitly stated for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was either" functions as a connector, introducing two mutually exclusive options or possibilities. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in conveying a forced choice or limited alternatives, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was either" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to present a choice between two alternatives. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for various contexts, especially news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure that the alternatives are clearly stated and mutually exclusive. Consider using alternatives like "the choice was between" for variety. Its frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the choice was between

Focuses on the selection process with limited alternatives.

the only alternatives were

Highlights the restricted set of available options.

there were only two options

Emphasizes the binary nature of the decision.

i had no other option but to

Highlights the lack of alternatives when facing a specific decision.

the sole possibility was

Underlines the uniqueness of a single choice.

it boiled down to

Implies a simplification of choices to essential options.

the decision came down to

Focuses on the final stage of making a choice.

the options were limited to

Expresses restriction in the number of choices.

i was left with no alternative but to

Emphasizes being forced into a specific choice.

the only course of action was

Highlights the inevitability of the decision made.

FAQs

How can I use "it was either" in a sentence?

Use "it was either" to present two options, such as "it was either this or that", indicating a choice between them.

What phrases are similar to "it was either"?

Similar phrases include "the choice was between", "the only alternatives were", or "there were only two options", all used to express limited choices.

Is it correct to say "it was either or"?

While "it was either" implies an "or", including "or" directly after "either" can be redundant. It's better to structure your sentence clearly with the two options connected by "or", such as "it was either this or that".

Can "it was either" present more than two options?

While grammatically possible, "it was either" typically implies a choice between two options. For more than two options, consider using phrases like "the choices were" or "the options included".