whichever is more

USAGE SUMMARY

"whichever is more" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when comparing two possibilities and need to choose the one that is greater or more beneficial. For example, "You can choose whichever repayment plan is more to your advantage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Make your mind up and say either "and" or "or" – whichever is more appropriate.

The Guardian

And if kicking doesn't work I'll attack her with either a greataxe or a halberd, whichever is more powerful against ho magic.

The Guardian - Music

The Merkley-Brown amendment would limit those investments to $2,000, or 5 percent of income in crowd funding, for individuals with annual income or net worth of less than $100,000, whichever is more.

The New York Times

This can be followed by the full engagement of the United States and/or the United Nations in a mediation effort with direct or indirect talks — whichever is more effective — between Israel and the Palestinians.

The New York Times

Another development mainly of the period after World War II has been the automatic adjustment of pensions according to an index of prices or in some cases to the average level of earnings, or whichever is more favourable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If baseball is serious about avoiding such vicious fights as happened between the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox, what it needs to do is suspend without pay for a whole season those who start the fight and half a season or 40 games, whichever is more, for those who join in.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Prior to this change, goodwill and intangibles were written off over their useful lives or 40 years, whichever was more appropriate.

Forbes

We screened all consecutive adult patients (≥16 years) who received general anesthesia from 14 to 18 September 2015 or from 9 to 13 November 2015 at the participating hospitals (each participating hospital could choose whichever was more convenient).

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

SSB were delivered weekly to the participants' home or collected from Deakin University, whichever was more convenient.

British Journal of Nutrition

Interviews were completed at KMAC or PHRU, whichever was more convenient for individual participants.

Global Health Action

Participants were instructed to respond based on their sexual behavior since they learned that they were HIV positive or within the past 5 years, whichever was more recent.

AIDS and Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting options with quantifiable differences, use "whichever is more" to clearly indicate the selection of the larger or greater value.

Common error

Avoid using "whichever is more" when there isn't a clear quantitative or qualitative comparison between the options. The phrase implies a scale or measure against which the choices are evaluated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whichever is more" functions as a connector introducing a conditional choice. It specifies that from two or more options, the selection is dependent on which one possesses a greater value or extent of a particular attribute.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whichever is more" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to present a conditional choice based on magnitude or extent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility across diverse writing contexts. While adaptable across various domains, it most commonly appears in news, scientific, and wiki sources. For clearer and more impactful writing, remember that this phrase should be used in quantifiable or qualitatively comparative contexts to maximize understanding and relevance. By considering these elements, writers can confidently use "whichever is more" to construct logical and easily understood sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whichever is greater

Replaces 'more' with 'greater', emphasizing a quantitative comparison.

whichever is larger

Focuses on size or magnitude as the defining factor.

whichever is superior

Indicates a preference for the option that is of higher quality or standard.

whichever is higher

Implies a comparison based on numerical value or rank.

whichever is preferable

Highlights the subjective preference for one option over another.

whichever is more advantageous

Emphasizes the beneficial aspect of the chosen option.

whichever is more beneficial

Similar to 'advantageous', but with a stronger focus on the positive outcome.

whichever is more suitable

Indicates that one option is better aligned with the requirements of the situation.

whichever is more appropriate

Emphasizes the fittingness or correctness of the chosen option.

whichever is more effective

Focuses on the option that yields the best results.

FAQs

How to use "whichever is more" in a sentence?

Use "whichever is more" when you're presenting two or more options and want to select the one that has a greater quantity, value, or degree of a particular quality. For example, "The prize will be $100 or the equivalent in store credit, "whichever is more"."

What's the difference between "whichever is more" and "whichever is greater"?

"Whichever is more" and "whichever is greater" are largely interchangeable, though "greater" tends to be used in more formal contexts or when referring to specifically quantifiable amounts. They both indicate the selection of the larger of two options.

When should I use "whichever is more appropriate" instead of "whichever is more"?

Use "whichever is more appropriate" when the choice isn't about quantity or size but about suitability or correctness for a particular situation. This emphasizes relevance rather than magnitude.

What are some alternatives to "whichever is more" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "whichever is superior", "whichever is preferable", or "whichever is more advantageous" for a more sophisticated tone. The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.