may be either

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be either" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when providing two or more possible outcomes or options. For example, "The final outcome may be either success or failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It may be either or both.

The New York Times - Magazine

Zones may be either inclusive or exclusive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pyrobitumens may be either asphaltic or nonasphaltic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sarcodines may be either solitary or colonial.

Encyclopedia Britannica

COUPLE may be either singular or plural.

The New York Times

Both may be either sacred or secular.

Britannica

This may be either unwanted by-catch or target fish.

The Guardian

These dense plumes may be either stable or unstable.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

The forces may be either tensile or compressive.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Transfer of pollen may be either by wind or insects.

Britannica

These elements may be either flat or cylindrical.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be either" when presenting two distinct possibilities or options, ensuring clarity by explicitly stating each option. This emphasizes the binary nature of the choice.

Common error

Avoid using "may be either" when the presented options are not mutually exclusive. For instance, instead of saying "The result may be either good or satisfactory" (where 'satisfactory' could be considered 'good'), clarify the options to be distinct and non-overlapping.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be either" functions as a modal verb phrase introducing two alternative possibilities or states. It indicates that one of two options is possible or permissible. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

27%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Academia

14%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be either" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to present two distinct possibilities or alternatives. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It functions to introduce options and describe alternative states, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, including scientific, academic, and general discourse. To ensure clarity, it's best to use it with mutually exclusive categories. Related phrases like "could be either" or "can be either" offer subtle variations in certainty and capability. Remember to avoid redundancy and always use a clear 'X or Y' structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be either

Replaces "may" with "could", suggesting a possibility that is slightly less certain.

can be either

Substitutes "may" with "can", indicating a potential or ability rather than a permission or possibility.

might be either

Replaces "may" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability.

is possibly either

Adds "possibly" for emphasis, highlighting the uncertainty of the outcome.

is either

Omits "may be", implying that the choice between options is definite, though the specific outcome is unknown.

can also be

Focuses on presenting an additional option or state, slightly shifting away from the either/or construction.

is known as either

Specifies that something is referred to by one of two names or descriptions.

it could also mean

Introduces an alternative interpretation or meaning.

it can also signify

Highlights the potential for something to represent or indicate different things.

the possibility exists for

Indicates the presence of multiple possibilities

FAQs

How do I use "may be either" in a sentence?

Use "may be either" to present two distinct possibilities or options. For example, "The outcome of the experiment "may be either" a success or a failure."

What are some alternatives to "may be either"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could be either", "can be either", or "might be either", depending on the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "may be either or"?

The phrase "may be either or" is redundant. The correct usage is ""may be either" X or Y", where X and Y are the two possibilities.

What is the difference between "may be either" and "can be either"?

"May be either" suggests a possibility or permission, whereas "can be either" implies capability or ability. The choice depends on the context; for instance, "The result "may be either" positive or negative" suggests possibility, while "The switch can be either on or off" suggests capability.