  In this work, we discuss the polarization contents of Einstein-\ae ther
theory and the generalized tensor-vector-scalar (TeVeS) theory, as both
theories have a normalized timelike vector field. We derive the linearized
equations of motion around the flat spacetime background using the
gauge-invariant variables to easily separate physical degrees of freedom. We
find the plane wave solutions are then found, and identify the polarizations by
examining the geodesic deviation equations. We find that there are five
polarizations in Einstein-\ae ther theory and six polarizations in the
generalized TeVeS theory. In particular, the transverse breathing mode is mixed
with the pure longitudinal mode. We also discuss the experimental tests of the
extra polarizations in Einstein-\ae ther theory using pulsar timing arrays
combined with the gravitational-wave speed bound derived from the observations
on GW 170817 and GRB 170817A. It turns out that it might be difficult to use
pulsar timing arrays to distinguish different polarizations in Einstein-\ae
ther theory. The same speed bound also forces one of the propagating modes in
the generalized TeVeS theory to travel much faster than the speed of light.
Since the strong coupling problem does not exist in some parameter subspaces,
the generalized TeVeS theory is excluded in these parameter subspaces.
