which are either

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which are either" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a list of options or categories that are being specified or differentiated. Example: "The available options for the project, which are either cost-effective or environmentally friendly, need to be evaluated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A lot had to do with amenities, which are either there or not".

The New York Times

He does not like the old general programs which are either purely elective or very specific.

The New Yorker

Many children are reading books which are either too easy or too difficult for them.

The Guardian - Books

Unusual amongst elemental metals, which are either grey or white in colour, gold is bright yellow.

The Guardian

There are impulsive reactions, which are either contained or not contained by his military entourage.

The New Yorker

There are three main types of Rice Mother, which are either found separately or combined.

Britannica

To handle multiple streams, composite curves are used, which are either hot or cold composite curves.

Pinch Analysis and Process Integration A User Guide on Process Integration for the Efficient Use of Energy

We present several non-amorphous examples, which are either cyclotomic association schemes, or their fusion schemes.

European Journal of Combinatorics

Two different back contact concepts are discussed, which are either based on Cu or Ti.

Thin Solid Films

Some time series applications require data which are either expensive or technically difficult to obtain.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

The orbits of the responses, which are either straight line segments, circular or elliptic are obtained.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which are either", ensure that the options presented are mutually exclusive or clearly distinct to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "which are either" when the options are not truly exclusive. For example, saying "the tasks, which are either urgent or important" is incorrect because a task can be both urgent and important. Ensure options are distinct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which are either" functions as a relative clause introducing two alternative options or categories. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to present mutually exclusive possibilities. It connects a noun phrase to a clause specifying its characteristics or attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which are either" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for introducing two distinct options or categories. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across various contexts, primarily in Science and News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure that the alternatives are mutually exclusive to maintain clarity. While "which are either" is generally acceptable, alternatives like "that are either" can be used for slight variations in tone. Its function is to specify and limit the possibilities, offering a clear and concise way to present alternatives in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that are either

Changes "which" to "that", offering a slightly less formal alternative while maintaining the same meaning.

which may be either

Adds "may be" to indicate possibility or uncertainty regarding the alternatives.

that can be either

Substitutes "are" with "can be" to express potential or capability.

which could be either

Uses "could be" to suggest a conditional or hypothetical scenario.

being either

Emphasizes the state of belonging to one of the specified alternatives. Changes the structure to a gerund phrase.

which fall under either

Indicates that the items belong to one of the specified categories.

categorized as either

Highlights the act of classifying items into one of two options. The "which are" part is replaced with "categorized as".

classified as either

Similar to "categorized as", emphasizing the classification of items.

that fit into either

Suggests that the items can be placed into one of the given categories.

alternatively

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb to introduce an alternative, losing the explicit 'either/or' structure.

FAQs

How can I use "which are either" in a sentence?

Use "which are either" to introduce two distinct possibilities or categories. For example, "The solutions, "which are either" cost-effective or time-saving, will be considered".

What is a more formal alternative to "which are either"?

While "which are either" is generally acceptable in formal writing, you can opt for phrases like "that may be either" or "which can be either" for added emphasis on possibility.

Is it correct to use "that are either" instead of "which are either"?

Yes, "that are either" is grammatically correct and can often be used interchangeably with "which are either". The choice often depends on the specific context and stylistic preference.

Can I use "which are either" to list more than two options?

No, "which are either" is specifically designed to present two alternatives. For more than two options, consider using "which can be" followed by a list, or rephrase the sentence to avoid the "either/or" structure.