may either be

USAGE SUMMARY

"may either be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest two possibilities for a certain outcome. For example: "The result may either be a success or a total failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

First, the report said, borrowers may either be granted or denied modifications improperly.

The New York Times

Pacheco's story is baffling in various respects, and may either be a lie or simply a partial and confused account.

The New Yorker

The capital may either be in common shares, preferred shares or convertible preferred shares, Mr. Lockhart told Bloomberg.

The New York Times

The fiber may either be broken or intact.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

This load may either be located at the center of the beam or may be offset.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Such plates may either be monolithic or layered with or without spacing.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

The edges of these piezoceramic rectangular plates may either be fixed or free.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Ensuing toxic responses may either be related to the solubility or insolubility of the inhaled material.

Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology

The clip angles may either be bolted or welded to the web of the beam.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

For the case of hydraulic diameter, it may either be regarded as parabolic or wavy.

Applied Thermal Engineering

A switch may either be a disconnector/isolator or circuit-breaker.

Practical Power Distribution for Industry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may either be" to clearly present two mutually exclusive options or states. This construction enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity when describing possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "may either be" when a simpler "can be" or "is" construction suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex. For example, instead of "The answer may either be yes or no", use "The answer is yes or no".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may either be" functions as a modal construction used to express a possibility or choice between two options. As Ludwig AI indicates, it suggests that one of two alternatives is possible or likely. The examples show it's used to present distinct states or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may either be" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to present two distinct possibilities or states. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is prevalent across scientific, news, and formal business contexts, indicating its versatility and acceptance in various writing styles. While simpler alternatives exist, "may either be" offers clarity when emphasizing a choice between two options. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain a balanced and effective writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be one of two options

Replaces "may either be" with a more descriptive and less formal phrase.

can be one of two possibilities

Substitutes "may" with "can" and "either be" with "one of two possibilities", making it slightly more verbose.

might be in one of two states

Uses "might" instead of "may" to express a lower degree of certainty, and specifies "states".

could potentially be one or the other

Adds "potentially" for emphasis and clarifies the choice as "one or the other".

can exist in two possible forms

Focuses on the existence of two forms, which implies the "either/or" nature.

is possibly one of two conditions

Emphasizes the conditions or states that something can be in.

has the potential to be this or that

Highlights the potential for something to be in one of two states.

is subject to being one of these options

More formal and emphasizes that the subject is constrained to one of the options.

can manifest in two distinct ways

Focuses on the manifestation or appearance of something in two different ways.

can resolve into one of two outcomes

Highlights that something can finalize to one of the two possible outcomes.

FAQs

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

Use "may either be" to present two alternative possibilities or states. For example, "The result "may either be" a success or a failure" indicates two potential outcomes.

What are some alternatives to "may either be"?

You can use phrases like "could be", "can be one of two options", or "might be" depending on the context and the level of certainty you want to convey. Consider also "can exist in two possible forms".

Is it always necessary to use "either" when presenting two options?

While "either" emphasizes the choice between two options, it's not always necessary. You can sometimes use "or" directly, but "either...or" construction adds clarity, especially in formal writing.

How does "may either be" differ from "may also be"?

"May either be" indicates a choice between two distinct possibilities. "May also be" suggests an additional possibility, implying that more than two options exist and that they aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.