Example:
I wasn't sure if it was A, B, or C. [...], I still knew I would fail.
I thought of either way but I think is not grammatically correct.
What should I chose if I'm referring to two or more options?
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3 Answers
How about "whichever" or "no matter which...?"
I wasn't sure if it was A, B, or C. Whichever (or no matter which) way, I still knew I would fail.
I would go with whatever or any of the.
Either is not advisable in written English, though you hear it often enough in spoken English. My choice would be, "Whichever, I still knew I would fail."
answered Apr 6, 2014 at 15:22
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1I disagree with that written/spoken distinction. If anything, the written form is more likely to allow "either" with multiple alternatives (since writing usually lags behind speech, and forms like either of the three were far more acceptable a century or two ago than they are now). Commented Apr 6, 2014 at 15:43
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@FumbleFingers I think the OP's question was directed more towards what would be considered good usage today. Commented Apr 6, 2014 at 15:59
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@janoChen Yes, you could use "in any case", but the phrase is commonly used with the general meaning of "anyhow". Though it contains the word "case", it's a phrase that doesn't particularly refer back to the previous sentence where you list cases. People will just read it as "anyhow" or "anyway". I would say, "whichever" is more likely to make the connection in the reader's mind with the previous sentence. Commented Apr 6, 2014 at 16:09
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@Terpsichore: I'm sure that's true. My point is that the vast majority of today's native speakers will be quite convinced either can only be validly used with two alternatives, so they're not likely to make a "mistake" in speech. But on average, the written form is more likely to include a higher percentage of "better educated" writers who might be quite prepared to use it with three or more alternatives (and not consider this to be a mistake). Commented Apr 6, 2014 at 16:23