or some combination thereof

USAGE SUMMARY

"or some combination thereof" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest the possibility of a mix of different elements or components. For example, "Our team is committed to providing the best customer service possible, through either a face-to-face interaction, a phone call, or some combination thereof."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or some combination thereof.

The New York Times

Most illegal killings are the result of battle stress, confusion, misinterpreted orders, or some combination thereof.

The New Yorker

Infection is treated with antibiotics, primarily fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin), ceftriaxone, or azithromycin (or some combination thereof).

Britannica

Environments may include heat, moisture, chemicals, radiation, electricity, biological substances, or some combination thereof.

Britannica

Maybe the city smelled like football, or steakhouses, or money, or some combination thereof.

The New York Times

Manuscripts will be handled by the Editor, sent out to reviews, given to an associate editor, or some combination thereof.

The Guardian

Present patterns are collected through surveys or face-to-face interviews, studies tailored to the subject, or some combination thereof.

Harvard Business Review

We find innovation narratives in two basic flavors: growth-affirming and growth-denying, or some combination thereof.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

These works from Arts Library Special Collections are scientific in subject, method, aesthetic, or some combination thereof.

Yale University

This exhibition showcases works from Arts Library Special Collections that are scientific in subject, method, aesthetic, or some combination thereof.

Yale University

Whether born of innovation, boldness, spite, or some combination thereof, it strikes me as an effort to put the clock back rather than forward.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "or some combination thereof", ensure the preceding list includes distinct and logical components that could plausibly co-occur.

Common error

Avoid using "or some combination thereof" when the possible combinations are obvious or easily inferred. Simpler phrasing is often more effective in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "or some combination thereof" functions as a conjunction, specifically an additive conjunction, that extends a list of possibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, serving to indicate that the options presented may occur individually, together, or in any combination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "or some combination thereof" is a versatile and grammatically correct conjunction used to indicate that any combination of previously mentioned elements may apply. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various registers, particularly common in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While frequently used, it's important to avoid redundancy by reserving it for scenarios where the potential combinations aren't immediately obvious. Alternatives like "or a mix of these" or "or some blend of them" can provide subtle variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

or a mix of these

Replaces "combination" with "mix", slightly less formal.

or some blend of them

Substitutes "combination" with "blend", implying a smoother integration.

or some permutation thereof

Replaces "combination" with "permutation", emphasizing arrangement.

or some merging of these

Substitutes "combination" with "merging", suggesting a unification process.

or any synergy thereof

Changes "combination" to "synergy", implying a beneficial interaction.

or a synthesis of those

Replaces "combination" with "synthesis", indicating a more structured formation.

or some convergence of such

Changes "combination" to "convergence", implying elements coming together.

or an amalgamation of these things

Replaces the original phrase with a more elaborate description, implying a merging of different aspects

or various aspects of the aforementioned

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal description, referencing what was previously mentioned.

or a multifaceted approach incorporating these

This is a more descriptive substitution, highlighting the multi-dimensional nature of the approach.

FAQs

How to use "or some combination thereof" in a sentence?

Use "or some combination thereof" after listing several possibilities to indicate that one, some, or all of the listed items may apply. For example, "The solution involves better training, updated equipment, or some combination thereof".

What can I say instead of "or some combination thereof"?

You can use alternatives like "or a mix of these", "or some blend of them", or "or some permutation thereof" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "or some combination thereof"?

It's appropriate when you've listed several distinct elements, and it's relevant to acknowledge that the outcome might involve any single element, multiple elements, or all of them working together.

Is "or some combination thereof" formal or informal?

The phrase "or some combination thereof" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone than on the phrase itself.