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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Grammar for 'either of you'

Hi,

I want to write to two different people to ask whether they are interested in a show. I'm confused between saying 'if either of you is available' and 'if either of you are available'?

Which one is the correct formulation?

Thanks
  

Top answer

Anonymous Hi, I want to write to two different people to ask whether they are interested in a show. I'm confused between saying 'if either of you is available' and 'if either of you are available'? Which one is the correct formulation?

— Dimsumexpress

  • Anonymous Hi, I want to write to two different people to ask whether they are interested in a show.
  • I'm confused between saying 'if either of you is available' and 'if either of you are available'?
  • Which one is the correct formulation?
  • Thanks The above context is quite intriquing.
  • But for the simple question, " either of you " takes a singular verb, "is" ; according to traditional grammar rule.
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7 Answers
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AnonymousHi,

I want to write to two different people to ask whether they are interested in a show. I'm confused between saying 'if either of you is available' and 'if either of you are available'?

Which one is the correct formulation?

Thanks

The above context is quite intriquing. But for the simple question,
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dimsumexpress
That aside ...Are you asking this question, intending to go to a show with both of them, or either one will do? What if X and Y both said "yes", expecting going to the show with you only, but to find out it's a party of three ? Just a thought!


Typically, either is used only for two things. We use any for more than two.
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either of you are available
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is vs are? One simple way is to phrase it in question.

Is either of you coming .... vs

Are either of you coming ....

Clearly, "is either of you" sounds correct; since the intention is to ask only one of the two people, not both. Hence the verb 'is' is used; not are.

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This is a difficult issue, and I'm going to go against the apparent grain here and say that, "Are either of you going?" is correct.

The subject/verb agreement of "either" depends on the subject closest to the verb. Thus it is correct to say, "Either Bob or his parents are going to the dinner." And it is correct to say, "Either Bob or Mary is going to the dinner."

But "you" ca

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Even in US English the grammatically correct way to write it is "If either of you is available"

One way to make this simple is that if you were only talking to one of them about both of them you would say, "If either you or (other person's name) is available"

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Drs. Elopre and Eaton,


Would either of you like to meet with Dr. Jason Halperin, during his visit?

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