whichever of them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whichever of them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a choice among multiple options or individuals. Example: "You can choose whichever of them you think is best for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Certainly, both beta and tau are up to no good, whichever of them turns out to be the more culpable.

The Economist

Two prominent strains of rhetoric run through the period — the Biblical and the classical — and political ideas tend to get tinted by whichever of them the speaker uses.

The New Yorker

But the fortunes of whichever of them emerges on top will depend at least in part on voters' perceptions of the Democrats in general.

The Economist

He would split the three doses, giving one bottle to Brantly, the second bottle to Writebol, and the third bottle to whichever of them was not evacuated.

The New Yorker

Whichever of them prevails faces a gruelling examination in the semi-finals by, most probably, Internazionale, assuming that José Mourinho's side can deal with CSKA Moscow.

The Guardian - Sport

Anyway, this means Luton is awash with voiceless constituents, and Esther's somewhat eccentric campaign involves her holding labour-intensive surgeries for whichever of them come her way.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Judging by the surrounding giggles and sighs, the audience are pretty keen on whichever werewolf of them has his shirt off at the time.

The Guardian - Film

He, Blake and Ram are all clustered close enough together (within 26 ranking points) that whichever one of them makes the deepest run at the tournament will leave as the American No. 4. If they tie, their current projected order will stand.

The New York Times

I wanted to give it to whichever one of them deserved it most".

Huffington Post

They frequently retreat to opposite sides of the floor, which creates space for whichever one of them is handling the ball. .

Los Angeles Times

I'm rooting for Archuleta but I'm going to vote for whichever one of them does better on that particular night.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whichever of them" when you want to emphasize a choice between specific individuals or options already mentioned in your writing. It clarifies that the selection depends on a condition or outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "whichever of them" when referring to an unspecified person. "Whichever" implies a selection from a known group, while "whoever" refers to any person without prior context. For example: Use "whoever arrives first gets the prize" when you don't know who will arrive, or "whichever of them wins will represent the group" when the group is already known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whichever of them" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically as a selective quantifier. It singles out one element from a previously identified group, indicating that the specific choice is conditional. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous real-world examples, showing how it introduces a sense of contingency to the selection process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whichever of them" is a useful phrase for indicating a contingent choice from a specific group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts. Use it to specify that a selection depends on certain conditions or outcomes. Be mindful not to confuse it with "whoever", which refers to an unspecified person. Consider alternatives like "whichever one" for conciseness. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, suitable for a variety of writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whichever one

This is a more concise alternative, replacing "of them" with "one" for simplicity.

whichever person

This alternative emphasizes that the choice is between people rather than objects.

whichever party

This alternative emphasizes that the choice is between different sides.

whomever among them

This is a more formal and grammatically precise way to express the same idea.

anyone of them

Similar to "any of them" but with a slightly less formal tone.

any of them

This phrase broadens the selection to include any member of the group without specifying a particular condition.

whoever from them

This option places greater emphasis on the person who is selected.

each of them

This phrase implies individual consideration and action rather than selection.

whichever it may be

This alternative shifts focus from the individuals to the outcome or situation.

whichever is applicable

This phrase emphasizes relevance and suitability over direct selection from a group.

FAQs

How can I use "whichever of them" in a sentence?

Use "whichever of them" to indicate a choice between individuals or options already mentioned. For example, "The candidates presented their ideas; "whichever of them" is chosen will lead the project."

What's the difference between "whichever of them" and "any of them"?

"Whichever of them" implies a specific selection based on a condition or outcome, whereas "any of them" suggests that the selection is arbitrary or that any member of the group is suitable.

Is "whichever of them" formal or informal?

"Whichever of them" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though slightly more formal alternatives like "whomever among them" exist for highly formal writing.

What can I use instead of "whichever of them" to sound more concise?

For a more concise alternative, you can use "whichever one". This option simplifies the phrase without significantly changing the meaning.