one or both of

USAGE SUMMARY

"one or both of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making a comparison between two groups, as in "one or both of us could help with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Everything since has been a variation on one or both of these competing visions.

The New York Times

Are one or both of you kind of on the fence?

Huffington Post

It's possible one or both of them didn't even know.

The New York Times

Should one or both of TVE's channels be privatized?

The New York Times

-- who do hold one or both of these beliefs.

The New York Times

"It would hurt one or both of us," he said.

The New York Times

One or both of us are getting old.

The New York Times

What if one or both of them rejected it?

The Guardian - Travel

Over six weekends, one or both of them flew up from Fort Lauderdale to house hunt.

The New York Times

It remains possible that Mr. Lindsey will be named to one or both of those positions.

The New York Times

The VAD is attached to one or both of the ventricles, the heart's pumping chambers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting options, use "one or both of" to clearly indicate that selecting either, or both, is acceptable. This eliminates ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "one or both of" when a simple 'or' suffices. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. For example, instead of "Do you want one or both of tea or coffee?" say "Do you want tea or coffee?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one or both of" functions as a determiner or quantifier. It specifies that either a single item from a group of two, or both items, are being considered. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts to indicate inclusivity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one or both of" functions as a determiner or quantifier, indicating inclusivity when presenting two options. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly used in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use it to clearly indicate that either a single option, or both, are acceptable. Be mindful of overusing it in simple choices where a simple 'or' would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one and/or the other

Mirrors the meaning closely, but is more explicit about the inclusive 'or'.

at least one of the two

Stresses the minimum requirement of selecting one option from the pair.

one if not both

Prioritizes one option while acknowledging the possibility of both.

either or

Focuses on exclusivity, emphasizing a choice between two options, while "one or both of" includes the possibility of both.

possibly one or both

Introduces a level of uncertainty regarding which option(s) may apply.

any of the two

Highlights the selection from a set of two, but less formally structured than the original phrase.

it could be one or both

Emphasizes the uncertainty and possibility of either option applying.

perhaps one or the other

Similar to "either or", but softens the exclusivity.

possibly either option

Simplifies the selection by directly referencing options.

whichever applies

Indicates flexibility and acceptance of either or both options, depending on circumstances.

FAQs

How do I use "one or both of" in a sentence?

Use "one or both of" to indicate that either a single option or both options are valid. For example, "One or both of the candidates will be selected for the final interview round."

What's the difference between "one or both of" and "either/or"?

"Either/or" implies a choice between two mutually exclusive options, while "one or both of" indicates that one, the other, or both options are acceptable. For instance, "either/or" suggests only one can be chosen, whereas "one or both of" allows for both to be chosen.

Is it grammatically correct to say "one or both of"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that "one or both of" is a valid and usable phrase in written English when you want to express that one item, or both items, from a set are acceptable.

What are some alternatives to "one or both of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "any of the two", "one and/or the other", or "at least one of the two" to convey a similar meaning.