we must either

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we must either" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to present two alternatives or options that need to be considered or chosen between. Example: "We must either accept the proposal as it is or negotiate for better terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We must either love each other, or we must die".

The New York Times

We must either reconfirm our choice or change our strategy.

The New York Times

We must either, as a species, put life ahead of money, or not.

The Guardian

We must either yield to it or struggle against the current.

The New Yorker

How unfortunate that we must either enter cyberspace or fly to Europe to follow this great American ambassador.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a false choice to say we must either champion Labour's record in government or denounce it," he will say.

The Guardian

We must either accept a catastrophic drop in our living standards or boost the number of people of working age.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We must either protect it appropriately or move it to more private networks and not use the open Internet".

The New York Times - Science

We must either get to grips with the underlying problem - a workforce spectacularly devoid of skill and learning - or get over it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We must either change the minds of lawmakers on these issues or, for God's sake, this November let's change the lawmakers".

The New York Times

He says that to reduce crime we must either tolerate the use of excessive force by the police or expand government-financed programs to prevent crime.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we must either", ensure that the two options presented are mutually exclusive and clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we must either" without clearly stating the second option. An incomplete "either/or" statement can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we must either" functions as a connector introducing two alternative actions or states. It sets up a binary choice, indicating that one of the options is necessary. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we must either" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a mandatory choice between two options. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's frequently found across diverse sources like news, academic papers, and scientific articles. When using the phrase, ensure clarity and mutual exclusivity between the presented options. Consider alternatives such as "we have to" for a more direct tone or "it is imperative that we" for emphasis. Remember to clearly define both options to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have to

A more direct and common way of expressing necessity.

we have no choice but to

Emphasizes lack of alternatives and obligation.

our only option is to

Focuses on the absence of other possibilities.

it is imperative that we

Highlights the urgency and necessity of the action.

we are compelled to

Stresses external pressure or force leading to the action.

we are obliged to

Indicates a sense of duty or legal requirement.

it is necessary for us to

Highlights the need for a particular action.

we are required to

Focuses on rules or regulations that necessitate the action.

we are bound to

Suggests a commitment or inevitability.

the only recourse is to

Emphasizes that all other solutions have failed.

FAQs

How to use "we must either" in a sentence?

The phrase "we must either" is used to present two choices or alternatives. For example, "We must either increase our sales or reduce our expenses".

What can I say instead of "we must either"?

You can use alternatives like "we have to", "it is imperative that we", or "our only option is to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "we must either" or "either we must"?

"We must either" is the more common and grammatically standard construction. "Either we must" is less frequent and can sound awkward in many contexts.

What's the difference between "we must either" and "we can either"?

"We must either" indicates a necessity, while "we can either" suggests a possibility or a choice that is not strictly required. The first conveys obligation; the second conveys opportunity.