one of two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one of two" is a perfectly valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
For example, you could say "I chose one of two options available to me".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One of two things happens.

The New York Times

Usually in one of two ways.

The New York Times

One of two options seems likely.

The Economist

Part one of two.

University of California, Berkeley

It's one of two".

The New York Times

PROFESSOR: One of two possibilities.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Order one of two burgers.

The Washington Post

Well, one of two anyway.

The Guardian - Sport

Ingles hits one of two.

The Guardian - Sport

He makes one of two!

The Guardian - Sport

Pau gets one of two.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one of two" to clearly indicate that there are only two options or possibilities, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, "The solution involves one of two approaches: direct intervention or indirect support."

Common error

Avoid using "one of two" when there are more than two options available. This can mislead the reader into thinking there are only two possibilities when, in fact, there are more.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one of two" functions as a determiner phrase or adjectival phrase, clarifying that there are precisely two options or possibilities available. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

31%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one of two" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate a choice or possibility from a set of exactly two options. Ludwig AI confirms its wide acceptance and correct usage. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, serving to clarify and focus discussions. When using this phrase, ensure there are truly only two options to avoid misleading your audience. Alternative phrases such as "either of the two" or "one or the other" can provide slight variations in emphasis while maintaining similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

either of the two

Focuses on the selection from the pair, emphasizing either option's possibility.

one or the other

Highlights the mutual exclusivity of the two options.

a choice between two

Emphasizes the existence of a decision to be made between two items.

selecting from two options

Highlights the act of selecting between the two.

a binary choice

Presents the selection as a decision between two options in computing or mathematics.

one alternative of two

Focuses on alternatives when choosing.

a dual option

Highlights the presence of two available possibilities.

picking between two

Informal way of expressing the act of selecting between two items.

a selection of two

Highlights the act of choosing from a limited set of two.

two possibilities exist

Emphasizes the presence of only two existing choices.

FAQs

How can I use "one of two" in a sentence?

Use "one of two" to indicate that there are exactly two options or possibilities, such as "One of two outcomes is likely: success or failure."

What are some alternatives to "one of two"?

You can use alternatives like "either of the two", "one or the other", or "a choice between two" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "one of two"?

Yes, "one of two" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a selection or possibility from exactly two options.

What's the difference between "one of two" and "one of several"?

"One of two" indicates there are only two options, while "one of several" implies there are more than two options available.