Have you ever wondered whether to say “is either of you” or “are either of you”? Both phrases may sound reasonable, but choosing the correct one depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence.
The good news is that the rule is easier to understand than it first appears.
In most standard English questions, “is either of you” is the grammatically preferred form when either is the subject.
The word either generally refers to one person or thing from a group of two, so it takes a singular verb.
For example, “Is either of you available?” is standard English.
However, some speakers use “are either of you” because you normally takes are, even when it refers to one person.
Understanding the role of either helps you choose the right verb in questions, conversations, emails, and formal writing.
Quick Answer: Is It “Is Either of You” or “Are Either of You”?
“Is either of you” is the standard grammatical choice when “either” is the subject. The word either is generally singular because it refers to one person or thing from a pair. For example, “Is either of you coming?” is traditionally preferred. Although “are either of you” occurs in everyday speech, it is less consistent with the standard subject–verb agreement rule.
Why Do People Confuse “Is Either of You” and “Are Either of You”?
People often confuse these expressions because they focus on the word you instead of the actual subject of the sentence.
In English, you takes the verb are whether it refers to one person or several people:
- You are ready.
- You are both invited.
- Are you available?
However, in the expression “either of you,” the word either is the subject, while of you identifies the people being considered. Since either generally takes a singular verb, the standard choice is is.
Compare these sentences:
- Is either of you available? — Standard subject–verb agreement.
- Are you both available? — Correct because you is the subject.
- Are either of you available? — Common in everyday usage, but traditionally considered less grammatically consistent.
The key is to identify the subject before choosing the verb.
What Does “Is Either of You” Mean?
“Is either of you” asks whether one person or the other, from a group of two, meets a particular condition or can do something.
Here, either means “one or the other.” It does not mean that both people must meet the condition.
Examples:
- Is either of you free this afternoon?
- Is either of you familiar with this software?
- Is either of you planning to attend the meeting?
- Is either of you responsible for this task?
In each example, the speaker wants to know whether at least one of the two people qualifies.
The expression can also appear in a statement, although questions are more common:
- If either of you is interested, please contact me.
Notice that is remains singular because either is the subject.
What Does “Are Either of You” Mean?
“Are either of you” is a form used by some speakers when asking a question about two people. It often occurs because you is closely associated with the verb are in English.
For example:
- Are either of you ready?
- Are either of you coming with us?
- Are either of you interested in joining?
These sentences are understandable, and you may hear them in casual conversation. However, under the traditional subject–verb agreement rule, either is singular, so “Is either of you ready?” is the more standard choice.
If you want to use are without creating an agreement problem, make you the subject instead:
- Are you ready?
- Are you coming with us?
- Are you interested in joining?
You can also say, “Are both of you ready?” when you want to ask about both people.
“Is Either of You” vs. “Are Either of You”: Comparison Table
| Feature | Is either of you | Are either of you |
|---|---|---|
| Grammatical status | Standard subject–verb agreement | Common in speech, but less consistent with traditional agreement |
| Verb | Singular: is | Plural-form verb: are |
| Subject | Either | Either is still the grammatical subject |
| Typical context | Formal writing and standard English | Informal speech and spontaneous conversation |
| Example | Is either of you available? | Are either of you available? |
| Best choice for learners | Recommended | Better replaced with a standard alternative |
Remember: The number of people mentioned does not automatically determine the verb. The grammatical subject does.
When Should You Use “Is Either of You” or “Are Either of You”?
1. Use “Is Either of You” for Standard Subject–Verb Agreement
Choose is when either is the subject of the sentence.
Examples:
- Is either of you able to help?
- Is either of you interested in the position?
- Is either of you coming to dinner?
This is the safest choice for schoolwork, examinations, formal emails, and professional writing.
2. Use “Are You Both” When Asking About Two People
If your question concerns both people as a group, use are you both.
Examples:
- Are you both ready?
- Are you both attending the conference?
- Are you both working tomorrow?
This wording is especially useful when you want to know whether both people share the same condition.
3. Use “Is Either One of You” for Extra Clarity
You can add one to make the singular meaning more obvious.
Examples:
- Is either one of you available?
- Is either one of you willing to volunteer?
- Is either one of you familiar with this process?
This construction is clear and natural in standard English.
4. Use “Can Either of You” When Asking About Ability
Modal verbs such as can, could, will, and would do not change according to whether the subject is singular or plural.
Examples:
- Can either of you drive?
- Could either of you help me?
- Will either of you attend?
- Would either of you like some tea?
These expressions avoid the is versus are question altogether.
12 Examples of “Is Either of You” and Related Expressions
Here are practical examples showing how to use either correctly.
- Is either of you available tomorrow?
Use is because either is the subject. - Is either of you coming to the party?
This asks whether one of the two people plans to attend. - Is either of you familiar with this topic?
The verb agrees with the singular subject either. - Is either of you interested in the job?
This is a standard way to ask about interest. - Is either of you responsible for the report?
The question asks whether one person has responsibility. - If either of you is late, please call me.
Use is in this clause because either is singular. - Either of you is welcome to join us.
This is grammatically possible, although “Either of you is welcome to join us” can sound formal. “You are both welcome to join us” is more natural if both people are invited. - Can either of you explain the answer?
The modal verb can stays the same with a singular or plural subject. - Will either of you be staying overnight?
Will does not change according to the subject’s number. - Are you both ready to leave?
This is correct because you is the subject and both refers to the two people. - Are either of you ready to leave?
This is heard in conversation, but “Is either of you ready to leave?” follows the traditional agreement rule. - Has either of you seen my keys?
Use has because either is singular.
These examples show that the same principle applies beyond is and are. It also affects verbs such as has and was.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Choosing “Are” Just Because “You” Is Plural
Incorrect under standard agreement: “Are either of you available?”
Preferred: “Is either of you available?”
The word you does not control the verb in this construction. Either does.
Mistake 2: Thinking “Either” Always Refers to Two People Together
Either refers to one or the other, not necessarily both at once.
- Is either of you coming? asks whether at least one person is coming.
- Are you both coming? asks whether both people are coming.
The meanings are different.
Mistake 3: Using “Is” When “Both” Is the Subject
Incorrect: “Is both of you ready?”
Correct: “Are both of you ready?”
Here, both refers to two people, so the plural verb are is appropriate.
Mistake 4: Using “Either of You Are” in a Statement
Traditional standard form: “Either of you is welcome to apply.”
The subject is either, so use the singular verb is in standard formal English.
Mistake 5: Confusing “Either” With “Neither”
Both either and neither generally take singular verbs when used as subjects in standard English.
- Either of you is welcome to join.
- Neither of you is required to attend.
In everyday speech, usage may vary, but singular agreement is the safest choice in formal writing.
Easy Memory Trick: “Either” Takes “Is”
Use this simple rule to remember the correct form:
Either = one option = singular verb.
When either is the subject, use a singular verb such as is, was, or has.
- Is either of you ready?
- Was either of you absent?
- Has either of you called?
When you is the subject, use are:
- Are you ready?
- Are you both ready?
Ask yourself: Who is the subject of this sentence? If the answer is either, choose the singular verb.
American English vs. British English
The basic subject–verb agreement rule is the same in standard American and British English: either generally takes a singular verb when it is the subject.
Both varieties use constructions such as:
- Is either of you available?
- Has either of you arrived?
- If either of you is interested, let me know.
In casual conversation, you may encounter “Are either of you available?” in either variety. This reflects how speakers sometimes associate the verb with you or the people being addressed. However, it is not a reliable rule to follow in formal writing.
For school assignments, professional communication, and grammar tests, “Is either of you?” is the safer standard choice when either is the subject.
Similar Expressions and Their Correct Usage
These related expressions help clarify when to use singular or plural verbs.
| Expression | Correct example | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Either of you | Either of you is welcome. | Either is singular. |
| Neither of you | Neither of you is wrong. | Neither is generally singular in standard agreement. |
| Both of you | Both of you are invited. | Both refers to two people. |
| One of you | One of you is responsible. | One is singular. |
| Each of you | Each of you has a copy. | Each is singular. |
| You both | You both are welcome. | You takes are. |
| Either one of you | Either one of you is eligible. | The subject is singular. |
Learning these patterns makes it easier to choose the right verb in everyday English.
Final Verdict: Which Is Correct?
“Is either of you” is the preferred form in standard English when either is the subject. The word either refers to one person or option from a pair and generally takes a singular verb.
Although “Are either of you” is used in everyday speech, it is less consistent with traditional subject–verb agreement. For formal writing, grammar tests, and professional communication, choose is or rewrite the question using are you both if you mean both people.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “Is either of you” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Is either of you” follows standard subject–verb agreement because either is generally singular when used as the subject. For example, “Is either of you free today?” is a standard construction.
2. Is “Are either of you” wrong?
It is common in everyday speech, but it is less consistent with traditional subject–verb agreement. In formal writing and examinations, “Is either of you” is the safer choice when either is the subject.
3. Why does “either of you” take “is”?
The main subject is either, not you. Since either generally means one or the other and is treated as singular, it takes is in the present tense.
4. Should I say “Is either of you coming?” or “Are either of you coming?”
Use “Is either of you coming?” in standard English. You can also say “Are you both coming?” if you want to ask whether both people plan to attend.
5. Is it “has either of you” or “have either of you”?
The standard form is “Has either of you” because either is singular. For example, “Has either of you finished the assignment?”
6. Is it “was either of you” or “were either of you”?
When either is the subject, “Was either of you” is the standard choice. For example, “Was either of you absent yesterday?” If you use you as the subject, say “Were you both absent yesterday?”
7. Can I say “Can either of you help me?”
Yes. “Can either of you help me?” is grammatically correct and natural. The modal verb can does not change for singular and plural subjects, so this construction avoids the is versus are issue.
8. Is “either of you are” correct in formal writing?
In formal standard English, use “either of you is” when either is the subject. For example, “Either of you is eligible to apply.” If you mean both people, write “Both of you are eligible to apply.”
Remember This
- Is either of you? — Preferred standard form.
- Are either of you? — Heard in casual speech, but less consistent with traditional agreement.
- Are you both? — Correct when asking about both people.
- Has either of you? — Standard singular agreement.
- Can either of you? — Correct; modal verbs do not change for number.
The most important rule is simple: when “either” is the subject, use a singular verb in standard English.
Conclusion
Choosing between “is either of you” and “are either of you” becomes easier once you identify the subject. Although the phrase refers to two people, either focuses on one person or option at a time. That is why “Is either of you available?” is the preferred standard form.
For everyday communication, remember that people may use “are either of you” in conversation, but standard subject–verb agreement favors is. When you mean both people, use “Are you both available?” instead. This small distinction will help you speak more clearly and write more confidently in English.
