through either

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "through either" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing options or methods, indicating that something can be accomplished by one of two alternatives. Example: "You can access the document through either the website or the app."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Didn't go very fast through either of those serves.

The Guardian - Sport

Placing an order through either service is simple.

The New York Times

"About 50percentt of our total business is through either bestwestern.com or partner Web sites".

The New York Times

One important lesson emerged from designers looking at Web pages through either system.

The New York Times - Tech

Reservations may be made through either SaSol Travel, 87-39 108th StRichmond Hilld Hill, N.Y.

The New York Times - Travel

More pertinently, perhaps, does Corbyn – the perennial backbencher – have the ability to see through either path?

The Guardian

Never look at the sun directly through either binoculars or a telescope.

The Guardian

It is unclear whether it will pass through either body, though some officials are optimistic.

The New York Times

Victoria believed that Bertie would destroy the monarchy, through either stupidity or scandal.

The New Yorker

With good connections, the trip from New York through either city takes four to five hours.

The New York Times

Instead, they are sold through either an Easter and Christmas boutique organized by Ms. Gray.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, you may want to rephrase "through either" as "via either" or "by way of either".

Common error

Avoid using "through either" when more than two options are available. "Either" implies a choice between two, not among many. For multiple options, consider using "through any of these" or "through one of these".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "through either" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating a means or method of achieving something via one of two options. It specifies that an action or process can occur using one of the two alternatives provided, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

6%

Science

22%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "through either" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase used to present a choice between two options. According to Ludwig, it's found across diverse fields like science, news, and business, maintaining a generally neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a binary choice. For other writing needs, consider alternatives like "via either" or "by means of either". These alternatives add subtle variations in formality while retaining the core meaning. Understanding these nuances will improve your writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

via either

Replaces "through" with "via", indicating a route or means of access.

by way of either

Indicates a path or route taken, either physically or figuratively.

by means of either

More formal way of saying "through either", emphasizing the method used.

using either

Similar to 'utilizing either', but more direct and less formal.

utilizing either

Focuses on the act of using one of two options to achieve a result.

employing either

Another alternative emphasizing the use of something as a means.

by choosing either

Similar to "opting for either", highlighting the selection process.

by selecting either

Highlights the act of choosing between two options.

opting for either

Focuses on the decision-making process of choosing one option or the other.

with either

Indicates that either option can be used together with something else to achieve a result.

FAQs

How can I use "through either" in a sentence?

Use "through either" to indicate that something can be achieved or accessed by one of two specified options. For example, "You can submit your application "through either" the online portal or by mail".

What alternatives can I use instead of "through either"?

Alternatives include "via either", "by means of either", or "using either", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "through either" when there are more than two options?

No, the phrase "through either" implies a choice between exactly two options. If there are more than two options, you should use phrases like "through any of these" or "through one of these".

What is the difference between "through either" and "through both"?

"Through either" indicates that only one of the two options is necessary or possible, while "through both" implies that both options are involved or required.