whichever is wider

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whichever is wider" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two or more options and indicating that the one with the greater width should be chosen or considered. Example: "You can choose either the table or the desk, whichever is wider will fit better in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The site surgeon will outline a 10 mm surgical boundary around the clinically visible tumor and FV boundaries, whichever is wider.

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Conservation agriculture (CA) is an agricultural practice, whereby the disturbed area is <15 cm wide or 25%% of the cropped area (whichever is lower).

Applied Water Science

whichever is smaller [32].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Or whichever is still around in 20 years.

Forbes

Whichever is best for you. .

Vice

Whichever is easier.

WikiHow

Whichever is easier for you.

WikiHow

Use scissors or tear, whichever is easiest.

WikiHow

Choose whichever is more comfortable for you.

WikiHow

Use whichever is cheaper, as their acoustic performance is similar.

WikiHow

Whichever is your dominant hand will be holding the coin.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing physical dimensions, use "whichever is wider" to clearly indicate selecting the option with the greatest width. It's suitable for instructions and comparisons where spatial extent is key.

Common error

Avoid using "whichever is wider" without clearly establishing what items are being compared. Always provide a context to prevent ambiguity, such as "Choose the plank, whichever is wider, for the base."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whichever is wider" functions as a comparative selector, guiding the choice between two or more options based on their width. It is used to specify that the option with the greater width should be chosen, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whichever is wider" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for indicating a choice based on the dimension of width. It appears in diverse contexts, including science, wiki articles, and news reports, suggesting broad applicability. Ludwig's analysis, confirms that it functions as a comparative selector, providing clear direction in decision-making scenarios. While versatile, ensure context is well-defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whichever has greater width

Replaces 'is' with 'has' and uses 'greater width' for a more formal tone and emphasis on measurement.

whichever is broader

Substitutes "wider" with "broader", offering a slightly different nuance while maintaining the same core meaning.

whichever is the widest

Adds "the" before widest, providing a slightly more emphatic tone while still retaining the original meaning.

whichever spans a greater distance

Uses a more descriptive and technical approach to convey the meaning of greater width.

whichever measures more in width

Offers a precise and measurable alternative, focusing directly on the dimensional aspect.

whichever extends further laterally

Emphasizes lateral extension as the defining characteristic, suitable in technical contexts.

whichever has the largest breadth

Replaces "wider" with "largest breadth", offering a more formal tone while maintaining the same core meaning.

whichever covers a larger area

Shifts the focus from width to area covered, implying that width contributes to a larger surface.

the one with more width

Simplifies the structure and uses "more width" to directly indicate the comparative attribute.

the one expanding furthest

Focuses on the extension aspect, suitable for situations where expansion is relevant to the width.

FAQs

How can I use "whichever is wider" in a sentence?

Use "whichever is wider" to indicate a selection based on the greatest width between two or more options. Example: "When placing the shelves, use "whichever is wider" to ensure maximum space utilization."

What phrases are similar to "whichever is wider"?

Similar phrases include "whichever is broader", "whichever has greater width", or "whichever spans a greater distance". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "whichever is more wide" instead of "whichever is wider"?

While understandable, "whichever is wider" is the grammatically preferred and more concise option. "More wide" is less common and sounds awkward.

What's the difference between "whichever is wider" and "whichever is larger"?

"Whichever is wider" specifically refers to the measurement of width, while "whichever is larger" is a more general term referring to overall size or extent. Use "wider" when width is the relevant criterion.