to be either

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to be either' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare two different options or possibilities. For example: "I can either take the bus or walk to the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Does it want to be either?

The Economist

I'm too old to be either.

The Guardian

We don't want to be either".

The Guardian

I don't mean to be either ungrateful or misanthropic.

The New York Times

Numbers don't have to be either true or false.

The Guardian

I had not been given the choice to be either".

The New York Times - Books

"They tend to be either competitions or special offers.

The Guardian

Poets tend to be either lingerers or barrellers.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Why does Santa have to be either-or?

Huffington Post

It shouldn't have to be either/or.

The New York Times

So far it's not turned out to be either/or.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be either" when presenting two distinct and mutually exclusive options. This helps create clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be either" when more than two options are available. If there are three or more possibilities, consider using "to be one of" or restructuring the sentence to clearly list all options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be either" functions as a connector indicating a choice or possibility between two distinct options. It serves to present alternatives, often highlighting their mutually exclusive nature. This function is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be either" is a common and grammatically correct way to present two distinct options. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it helps to clearly define possibilities and guide decision-making. When writing, ensure you're presenting only two options to avoid misuse. For variety, consider alternatives like "to be one or the other" or "to be this or that", and remember that clarity is key when framing choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be one or the other

Emphasizes the mutually exclusive nature of the choices more strongly.

to be this or that

Uses more general terms for the alternatives, suitable when specific options are less important.

to fall into one category or the other

Focuses on categorization, implying a broader set of possibilities initially.

to be in the first group or the second

Explicitly references two distinct groups, useful when the options are pre-defined.

to be of the former or the latter type

A more formal and academic phrasing, suitable for written contexts.

to choose one from two

Highlights the act of selection between two alternatives.

to select between options

Focuses on selection process and can be applied to 2 or more options.

to decide between two

Emphasizes the decision-making aspect when there are only two choices.

to be among alternatives

It is more vague since it does not state a selection between two alternatives.

to lean toward either

It is more vague since it expresses a preference but not a certain decision.

FAQs

How can I use "to be either" in a sentence?

Use "to be either" when you want to present two distinct options or possibilities. For example, "The result is going "to be either" a success or a failure".

What phrases are similar to "to be either"?

Similar phrases include "to be one or the other", "to be this or that", and "to fall into one category or the other", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to use "to be either" when presenting more than two options?

No, "to be either" is generally used when presenting exactly two options. For more than two, consider using "one of" or rephrasing to list all options clearly.

What is the difference between "to be either" and "to be both"?

"To be either" implies a choice between two mutually exclusive options, while "to be both" suggests that two characteristics or options can exist simultaneously.