When asking about two people, should you say “Is either of you” or “Are either of you”? The standard grammatical choice is “Is either of you?” because either is traditionally treated as a singular pronoun meaning “one or the other.” For example, “Is either of you available?” is the standard form.
However, “Are either of you?” is also heard in everyday English, especially because speakers naturally associate “you” with a plural meaning in this context. This guide explains why the confusion happens, which form is preferred in formal English, and how to use both forms naturally.
Quick Answer
“Is either of you” is the standard form when either means “one or the other of two people.” For example, say “Is either of you ready?” Although “Are either of you ready?” is common in informal speech, “Is either of you” is generally the safer choice in formal writing and careful English.
Why Do People Confuse It?
The confusion comes from the combination of either, of, and you.
In a question such as:
Is either of you available?
the word either refers to one person out of two. Because either is singular in this construction, it normally takes the singular verb is.
The word you, however, can refer to one person or multiple people. When speakers see “you” referring to two people, they may instinctively choose are:
Are either of you available?
This sounds natural to many English speakers, particularly in conversation. Nevertheless, “Is either of you available?” follows the traditional subject–verb agreement pattern.
First Word: “Is”
Is is the third-person singular form of the verb be.
Use is with singular subjects such as:
- he
- she
- it
- either
- neither
- each
Because either is normally singular when used to mean “one or the other,” is is the standard verb.
Examples
- Is either of you a doctor?
- Is either of them available?
- Is either answer correct?
- Is either option suitable?
Notice that the phrase “of you” does not change the grammatical number of either.
Second Word: “Are”
Are is used with plural subjects, including you when you itself is the subject.
For example:
- Are you ready?
- Are you both students?
- Are either of them available?
The difficulty occurs because “either of you” contains the plural-looking phrase “you”, but the grammatical head of the subject is either.
So:
Either of you is capable of doing it.
Here, either is singular, so is agrees with it.
Is Either of You or Are Either of You? Comparison Table
| Expression | Grammar | Typical Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is either of you…? | Standard singular agreement | Formal and careful English | Is either of you free? |
| Are either of you…? | Common informal usage | Everyday conversation | Are either of you coming? |
| Is either one of you…? | Clearly singular | Formal and unambiguous | Is either one of you available? |
| Are you either…? | Different construction | When asking whether both people belong to a category | Are you either a student or a teacher? |
When to Use Each
Use “Is either of you” in formal English
Choose “is either of you” when writing:
- academic work
- professional emails
- formal correspondence
- educational materials
- carefully edited content
Examples:
Is either of you available for an interview?
Is either of you responsible for this report?
“Are either of you” in informal conversation
You may hear “are either of you” frequently in ordinary conversation.
For example:
Are either of you hungry?
This construction is understandable and widely used conversationally, but it does not follow the traditional singular agreement expected with either.
If you want the safest choice for formal or standard written English, use “is either of you.”
10+ Examples of “Is Either of You”
Here are practical examples:
- Is either of you ready to leave?
- Is either of you a teacher?
- Is either of you available tomorrow?
- Is either of you interested in the position?
- Is either of you responsible for this project?
- Is either of you familiar with this software?
- Is either of you from London?
- Is either of you able to help me?
- Is either of you the owner of this car?
- Is either of you planning to attend the meeting?
- Is either of you willing to volunteer?
- Is either of you certain about the answer?
In every example, either refers to one person or the other, so is is the traditional agreement.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Assuming “you” always requires “are”
It is true that you takes are when you is the subject:
Are you ready?
But in:
Is either of you ready?
the subject is the entire phrase either of you, with either as its head.
Mistake 2: Thinking “of you” makes “either” plural
The phrase “of you” identifies the two people being considered. It does not make either plural.
Compare:
Either of the students is qualified.
Here, students is plural, but either remains singular.
Mistake 3: Confusing “either” with “both”
Either means one or the other of two possibilities.
Both refers to the two people together.
Compare:
Is either of you ready?
One of you may be ready.
Are both of you ready?
The two of you are being considered together.
Mistake 4: Using “are” automatically because two people are involved
The number of people involved does not always determine the verb. The grammatical number of the subject matters.
Either of them is suitable.
Both of them are suitable.
Memory Trick
Remember:
Either = one → is
Both = two → are
So:
Is either of you ready?
but:
Are both of you ready?
This simple pattern can help you remember the traditional agreement.
American vs. British English
The traditional grammar rule applies in both American and British English: either is generally treated as singular when it means “one or the other.”
Therefore, “Is either of you…?” is the conservative standard form in both varieties.
However, actual spoken English can be less strict. “Are either of you…?” occurs in informal conversation, reflecting the fact that the speaker is addressing two people. Usage can therefore differ between formal grammatical preference and everyday speech.
For formal writing, “Is either of you…?” avoids the issue and is the clearest traditional choice.
Similar Words
Several words and phrases are closely related to either and can help clarify subject–verb agreement.
Either
Means one or the other of two people or things.
Either answer is acceptable.
Neither
Means not one and not the other.
Neither of them is available.
Both
Refers to two people or things together.
Both of them are available.
Each
Refers to every individual member of a group, considered separately.
Each of the students is responsible.
Any
Can refer to one or more members of a group, depending on context.
Are any of you available?
Notice the natural contrast:
- Is either of you available?
- Are both of you available?
- Are any of you available?
- Neither of you is available.
Final Verdict
The standard form is “Is either of you?”
Use is because either is traditionally singular when it means “one or the other.” The phrase “of you” identifies the two people under consideration but does not make either plural.
“Are either of you?” is common in informal spoken English and is easily understood, but “is either of you” is the safer choice for formal writing and careful English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “is either of you” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Is either of you” is grammatically correct and follows the traditional rule that either is singular when it means “one or the other.”
Should I say “is either of you available”?
Yes. “Is either of you available?” is the standard formal construction.
Is “are either of you” wrong?
It is common in informal spoken English, but it does not follow the traditional singular agreement of either. For formal writing, “is either of you” is preferable.
Why does “either” take “is”?
Either is singular when it refers to one of two people or things. Therefore, it normally takes a singular verb such as is.
Is “either of you” singular or plural?
Grammatically, either of you is treated as singular because the head word either means one of the two.
What is the difference between “either of you” and “both of you”?
Either of you refers to one person out of two, while both of you refers to the two people together.
Is either of you coming?
Are both of you coming?
Is “neither of you is” correct?
Yes. Neither is traditionally singular, so “Neither of you is available” is the standard formal construction.
Remember This
When either means “one or the other of two,” treat it as singular:
Is either of you ready?
When referring to the two people together, use both with are:
Are both of you ready?
And when asking about any members of a group, any commonly takes are:
Are any of you ready?
Conclusion
The correct traditional form is “Is either of you?” because either is singular when it means one or the other of two people. The phrase “of you” does not change that grammatical relationship. This is why “Is either of you available?” is the preferred choice in formal and carefully written English.
You may also encounter “Are either of you?” in everyday conversation. It is understandable and commonly heard, but if you are writing an academic paper, professional message, or formal document, “Is either of you” is the safer standard form.
David Henry is a language enthusiast and content writer specializing in synonyms, vocabulary, and word meanings. He creates clear, engaging resources that help readers improve their writing, communication, and English skills.
