they can either

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they can either" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to list two options. For example, "They can either go for a walk or watch a movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And they can either operate or wait.

The New York Times

They can either set a cooperative or a competitive tone.

Harvard University

"I don't think they can either," Brown chimed in.

The New Yorker

They can either take it or leave it.

The New York Times - Arts

"They can either do so as combatants or as neighbours.

The Guardian

They can either give evidence in person or in writing.

Independent

They can either increase or decrease clarity for their teams.

The New York Times

Depending on their nature, they can either accelerate or slow down the sintering rate.

Acta Biomaterialia

They can either be free or be subject to external loading.

Computer-Aided Design

They can either capture solar energy directly or thermal energy through natural convection.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

They can either vote in favor of a board member or withhold their support.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "they can either" with "or" to clearly connect the two alternative options. Omitting "or" can lead to confusion.

Common error

Avoid starting a sentence with "they can either" and failing to provide a clear second option. Always complete the thought with a distinct alternative introduced by "or".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they can either" functions as a connector to present two alternative options or courses of action available to a group of people. Ludwig indicates this structure is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they can either" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to present two distinct alternatives. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various domains, particularly in news, science, and academic contexts. When employing "they can either", ensure that the options are clearly defined and connected with "or" to maintain clarity. While alternatives such as "they have a choice to" exist, "they can either" remains a direct and effective way to convey a choice between two possibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they have a choice to

Focuses on the availability of a choice rather than explicitly stating two options.

they could choose to

Highlights the act of choosing, implying a decision-making process.

their options include

Emphasizes a range of possibilities without specifying a binary choice.

they might prefer to

Suggests a preference between alternatives, rather than a strict either/or scenario.

they may want to

Indicates a potential desire to select one of multiple choices.

they are free to

Focuses on the freedom of choice rather than the specific alternatives.

it's up to them to

Shifts the focus to the responsibility of making a decision.

they get to decide if

Highlights the power of decision-making, emphasizing the conditionality.

the decision rests with them

Implies the ultimate authority to make a selection.

they have the discretion to

Emphasizes the freedom and authority in making a decision based on their judgment.

FAQs

How do I use "they can either" in a sentence?

Use "they can either" to present two distinct options or possibilities. For instance, "They can either stay home or "go to the party"".

What's a good alternative to "they can either"?

Alternatives include "they have a choice to", "their options include", or depending on the context, "they could choose to".

Is it grammatically correct to say "they can either" without an "or"?

While it might be understood, omitting the "or" after presenting the first option is grammatically incomplete and can lead to confusion. Always follow "they can either" with a clear alternative introduced by "or".

What's the difference between "they can either" and "they can also"?

"They can either" presents two mutually exclusive options, while "they can also" suggests an additional action or possibility alongside something else. The former indicates a choice, the latter an addition.