Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2007

Hi Sara,

I may be incorrect; however, whichever is not the best grammar usage
for written use.  Verbal usage is more flexible.

Yes, acceptably appropriate.

In usage, a tendency is to use "either" for a selection
amongst two things. Usage of "whichever" tends to be a
selection amongst more than two things.

Ignoring tendencies, an "either" construct falls apart when
subjected to many case examples, more specifically when
presented with two plural groups.

Sara, I have for you a black evening gown, black high heels,
a diamond necklace, a diamond bracelet and appropriate
matching undergarments. I also have for you a light flower
patterned yellow summer dress, pastel yellow pumps, several
silver rings, an engraved silver bracelet but no color matching
undergarments, for this warm summer night.

Select either outfit as you please, to wear.
Whichever outfit pleases you, wear.

Usage of "either" becomes near insulting. Either limits your
selection to black for the evening, or to yellow for the
evening; one combination or the other combination. My
offer is also to instruct you to wear this or wear that;
a dictate.

"Whichever" presents polite options. You are free to wear
one color theme or the other, and free to mix and match,
by subtle inference; freedom of choice.

Many would choose to use "whatever" in place of "whichever."
However, "whatever" references an unknown, singular or plural.
"What" signals an interrogative sense, or signals unknowns
might be included. Whatever does not work well because many
known items are offered, but no unknown items are offered.

Of course, in practice, an offer of this nature would be
presented differently. A shortened example,

"I have these dresses, these shoes, this jewelry, this and
that, "which" would you like to wear?"

Readers can sense the subtle nature of "whichever" in my
sentence construct immediately above. "Which" signals a
clear freedom of choice. "Whichever" signals equally.

"Either," no, there is a lack of freedom of choice.

Rather subtle, yes?

Of course there are those who choose to use "whichever"
simply to retain attention or for musical alliteration,
amongst other clever contructs and devious devices.

Personally, I would select the black evening gown, hopefully
low cut front and back, silver rings for my toes, no shoes
and no undergarments.

Purl Gurl

I confess the "whichever" makes me think it covers green and purple
socks too, as well as the choices mentioned. On the hand, any other way
of putting it would be a lot longer and clumsier.

Sara Lorimer (or somebody else of the same name) wrote thusly in message
<1hs8rd6.pc4l5c1q2notgN%que.sara.saraDELETE@gmail.com>:

Here in South Wales (at least) we would use the expression "either way" to
express independence of a choice from two:
< For example: "You can wear the red socks or the blue socks. You'll have
< to wear the black sandals either way."