without either

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without either" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that none of two or more options are acceptable. For example: "We can't accept your request without either a signed consent form or a court order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Or a "horror comedy" without either?

The Guardian - Film

Without either, Sunderland could never become a music city.

The Guardian

Without either, weather becomes typical -- meaning largely unpredictable -- meteorologists say.

The New York Times - Science

Characters and plotlines morph without either realism or magic.

The Guardian - Books

"Golf probably doesn't grow without either of us".

The New York Times - Sports

(Don't make me choose, please: I couldn't live without either).

The New York Times

I wouldn't want to be without either experience.

Independent

And yet, Russell probably wouldn't enjoy the position he does without either of them.

The Guardian

In short, we might be better off without either of them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Anything that can't change without either sea-changing or step-changing will be done away with.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, even without either one, the Senate must pass this vital measure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without either" to clearly indicate that neither of two specific options or conditions is present or required. This phrase helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "without either" when referring to more than two items. The phrase is specifically designed for situations involving only two options; for more, use "none of them" or "without any".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without either" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the absence or exclusion of two specific items or options. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, reinforcing its role in expressing a lack of both elements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without either" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the absence of two specific options or conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its correct usage emphasizes that neither of the two elements is present or required. It is important to avoid using "without either" when referring to more than two items, and consider alternatives like "lacking both" or "excluding either" for semantic variation. With a high frequency in News & Media, "without either" serves as a valuable tool for expressing limitations and requirements across various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not having either

Simple and direct way of stating the absence of both.

missing both

Implies that both items are required but not present.

lacking both

Focuses on the deficiency of both elements, emphasizing the absence.

absent of both

Stresses the non-existence of both items.

excluding either

Highlights the act of leaving out both options.

excluding one and the other

Similar to "excluding either" but more emphatic.

devoid of either

Emphasizes a complete lack of both elements.

neither including this nor that

A more verbose form, explicitly stating that neither of the two items is included.

without one or the other

A more descriptive way of saying neither is present.

void of both

Emphasizes emptiness due to the absence of both elements.

FAQs

How can I use "without either" in a sentence?

Use "without either" to indicate the absence of two specific things or conditions. For example: "The project cannot proceed "without either" funding or approval."

What is a good alternative to "without either"?

Alternatives include "lacking both", "excluding either", or "neither including this nor that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "without either"?

Yes, "without either" is grammatically correct when referring to the absence of two specific options. It's a common and accepted phrase in English.

What's the difference between "without either" and "without any"?

"Without either" is used when referring to two specific items, while "without any" is used when referring to a group of three or more items. For example, "without either parent knowing" (two parents) vs. "without any help" (more than two sources of help).