one condition or another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one condition or another" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing various possibilities or scenarios that depend on different conditions. Example: "We will proceed with the project, but it will depend on one condition or another being met first."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The DSM committee has been accused of continually expanding the categories of mental illness, resulting in "diagnostic inflation" – with the result that increasing numbers of us are diagnosed with one condition or another.

The Guardian

As Paul points out, they are "the next best thing to a traditional scientific experiment, in which subjects can be randomly assigned to one condition or another". But the results are still confounded by the fact that numerous other events that are not reported or recalled may also account for the outcome.

The New York Times - Books

Several isolated QTLs specific to one condition or another were also found (Supplementary Figure 2).

Rice

The proteins referred to as exclusive to one condition or another was only identified in one condition within the detection limits of the experiment (LOD).

BMC Genomics

The dynamic range of the quantified proteins is about 3 logs, and proteins unique to one condition or another were only observed above the LOD of the experiment, which was determined by the sample normalization prior to injection.

BMC Genomics

First our experimental conditions were all randomized and our subjects naïve, which would reduce the possibility of being specifically prepared for one condition or another.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Each subject was assigned a comorbidity score of 0 (no condition), 1 (one condition), or 2 (two or more conditions).

BMC Cancer

The modules are based on one condition BE or AE and their module preservation scores in another condition are calculated.

DNA Research

It is believed that about 1 in 5 of the more than 50 million students in America's public schools are suffering with one mental condition or another.

The Washington Post

Many incarcerated individuals are suffering from one medical condition or another, while others may be suffering from the morbidity of physical, mental, and substance/alcohol issues.

Health & Justice

Some studies have evaluated exhaust products and health effects under one load condition or another, or with varying operating conditions during the same engine run cycle.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one condition or another" when you want to indicate that a situation depends on meeting specific requirements or circumstances, emphasizing the variability based on these conditions.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "one condition or another" can sound informal in highly professional or academic writing. Consider using more precise alternatives such as "subject to specific terms" or "contingent on specific criteria" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one condition or another" functions as a conjunction phrase, indicating that a situation depends on meeting different potential conditions. It's used to express variability based on which condition is satisfied, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one condition or another" serves as a grammatically correct and acceptably versatile way to indicate that a situation’s outcome is dependent on various potential requirements or circumstances. While Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct, the phrase is considered neutral in register, making it appropriate for news and general contexts, but potentially less suitable for highly formal or scientific writing where precision is key. The phrase's frequency is uncommon, and its usage is typically found in scientific and news-related contexts. Consider alternative phrases such as "depending on the situation" or "subject to certain terms" to suit the desired tone and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depending on the requirement

Specifies that the outcome changes based on fulfilling specific requirements.

conditional upon certain elements

Indicates that the result is directly influenced by the presence of specific elements.

contingent on specific criteria

Highlights that certain criteria must be met for a particular result.

subject to certain terms

Emphasizes the formal requirements or stipulations influencing the outcome.

based on different prerequisites

Highlights that various prerequisites influence different outcomes.

under some circumstances

Focuses on the circumstances that might lead to different outcomes; less specific than requiring a condition.

under some provisions

Emphasizes the legal or procedural aspects that govern the outcome.

depending on the situation

Highlights situational variability, less formal than needing a specific condition.

depending on various factors

Focuses on the numerous influences which could lead to different outcomes.

depending on particular cases

Focuses on individual cases, less general than "one condition or another".

FAQs

How can I use "one condition or another" in a sentence?

You can use "one condition or another" to indicate that a situation's outcome is dependent on certain requirements being met. For example, "The project's success depends on "one condition or another" being fulfilled."

What are some alternatives to "one condition or another"?

Alternatives include "depending on the situation", "subject to certain terms", or "contingent on specific criteria", which can be used depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "one condition or another"?

It is appropriate when you want to express that an outcome varies based on different potential requirements or circumstances. It's suitable for both general discussions and more specific scenarios.

Is "one condition or another" considered formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. In very formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "subject to certain terms" or "depending on the requirement" for a more precise and professional tone.