Is either of these.../are either of these...

4 replies

CrimsonElevenDelightPetrichor · 28/12/2023 16:39

Is 'either' singular or plural?
I've been using 'is either of these ' but I'm not sure it's correct.

Help me, oh wise pedants!

OP posts:

OchonAgusOchonOh · 28/12/2023 16:41

Is either of these is correct.

Either is used when referring to one of two things so it's referring to a single item.

MajesticWhine · 28/12/2023 16:43

It's singular I think.
Replace with one of and you know it's singular.
You would say "is one of these to your liking?"

AllAroundMyCat · 28/12/2023 16:44

It's a choice of two so it's one or the other, therefore it is either this one or that one.
So it is either of these.

Using it in a full sentence...

'It is either one of these.'

Original poster

CrimsonElevenDelightPetrichor · 28/12/2023 16:44

MajesticWhine · 28/12/2023 16:43

It's singular I think.
Replace with one of and you know it's singular.
You would say "is one of these to your liking?"

Thanks that's a good way of remembering.
I've been writing the same sentence repeatedly, and you know how words can look strange after a while.....

OP posts:

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