on either side

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on either side" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically means on both sides of something or in the presence of two opinions or two groups. For example: "The issue of immigration is hotly debated on either side of the political spectrum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's one on either side.

Vice

But no one on either side of the argument did.

Huffington Post

Armies mass on either side.

The New York Times

There are parlors on either side.

The New York Times

Mankind are standing on either side.

The New Yorker

The margins on either side were narrow.

The New York Times

Two Kurdish flags hang on either side.

The Economist

And no embarrassment on either side.

The New York Times

Sean Weatherspoon and Stephen Nicholas would play on either side.

The New York Times - Magazine

No arrests were made on either side.

The Guardian

Legal arguments are close on either side".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical arrangements, use “on either side” to clearly indicate placement on two distinct sides of a central object or space.

Common error

Avoid using “on either side” when you mean “on all sides”. The phrase "on either side" refers specifically to two sides, while "on all sides" implies more than two.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on either side" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating location, position, or perspective. It is frequently used to describe the spatial arrangement of objects or the distribution of opinions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on either side" serves as a versatile prepositional phrase, predominantly used to denote spatial positioning or contrasting perspectives. With its grammatically sound structure and widespread usage across diverse contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig, it stands as a reliable choice for expressing duality. While "on both sides" presents a similar option, "on either side" often suggests a more nuanced distinction or choice between two. The frequency of its appearance in news and media underscores its relevance in contemporary communication, while its absence from specialized academic or scientific fields suggests a preference for more precise language in those contexts. Therefore, employ "on either side" when precision and clarity are paramount, mindful of its subtle implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on both sides

This alternative is more general and emphasizes the presence of something on both sides without necessarily implying opposition.

on each side

Similar to "on both sides", this option highlights that there are individual sides being referred to.

on opposing sides

This emphasizes the contrast or conflict between the two sides.

on either hand

This option is used to refer to a choice between two possibilities or actions.

on respective sides

This alternative specifies that each side has its own designated area or position.

on opposite flanks

Referring to military or strategic contexts, emphasizing flanking positions.

across from each other

Highlights the spatial arrangement where things are directly facing one another.

flanking

Emphasizes objects or features that border or surround something on two sides.

along each border

Used more literally, indicating positions along borders.

on different aspects

This phrase shifts the focus to contrasting viewpoints or facets.

FAQs

How do I use “on either side” in a sentence?

Use “on either side” to indicate something is located on both sides of something else, or to refer to opposing viewpoints. For example, “There were trees on either side of the road” or “The debate had strong opinions on either side”.

What can I say instead of “on either side”?

You can use alternatives like "on both sides", "on each side", or "on opposing sides" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use “on either side” vs. “on both sides”?

“On either side” typically implies a choice between two options or a symmetrical arrangement with two distinct sides. “On both sides” is more general and simply means something is present on each side. Using them interchangeably is fine for most case, but you can use "on either side" when you want to create some nuance.

Is there a difference between using "on either side" and "on each side"?

While similar, "on either side" often suggests a binary choice or contrasting elements, whereas "on each side" simply emphasizes the presence of something on individual sides without implying opposition. You can use "on each side" when there isn't the nuance created with "on either side".