whichever is the earlier vs whichever is earlier

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Whichever is the earlier' is used when comparing two things, emphasizing the comparison between them. 'Whichever is earlier' is used when making a general statement without a direct comparison. It's important to choose the correct phrase based on the context in which it is being used.

Last updated: April 09, 2024 • 1172 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when comparing two things to determine which one occurred first.

"whichever is the earlier"

This phrase is used when comparing two items or events to determine which one happened first. It emphasizes the comparison between the two.

Examples:

Please submit your report by Friday, whichever is the earlier deadline.
You can choose to attend either the morning session or the afternoon session, whichever is the earlier time for you.

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That term of office should be renewed until 31 December 2009, or until the date of entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, whichever is the earlier.
These financial provisions shall be in force from 13 September 2004 until they are reviewed, amended or confirmed in accordance with Article 18(1) of Joint Action 2004/551/CFSP, or until 31 December 2005, whichever is the earlier.
Unless decided otherwise by the ACP-EU Committee of Ambassadors, the discharge is deemed to be approved three months following the date of the transmission of the discharge proposal, or by 31 December 2017, whichever is the earlier.
after the decision or at the end of the inclusion period of the candidate for substitution, whichever is the earlier.
The time required to implement these limits should take account of the particular features and characteristics of the investments but should not exceed five years after the date of the authorisation as an ELTIF or half the life of the ELTIF, whichever is the earlier.
if a fixation of the performance in a phonogram is lawfully published or lawfully communicated to the public within that period, the rights shall expire 70 years from the date of the first such publication or the first such communication to the public, whichever is the earlier.
That acceptance should continue until 2020 or the conclusion of a relevant agreement with the Community, whichever is the earlier.
Prior notification shall be made at the latest 30 working days before the bid closing or commitment date, whichever is the earlier.
Until he reaches the age of 25 or until he marries, whichever is the earlier.
three months after commencement of utilisation of the genetic resource; whichever is the earlier.
The starting date for eligibility of expenditure is the date of receipt of the related draft Operational Programme by the Commission or 1 January 2007, whichever is the earlier.
Non-JAR-compliant pilot medical certificates and aero-medical examiners' certificates issued by a Member State before this Regulation applies shall remain valid until the date of their next revalidation or until 8 April 2017, whichever is the earlier.
were issued before 1 January 2016 or prior to the date of entry into force of the delegated act referred to in Article 97, whichever is the earlier;
Customs seals and seals of a special type compliant with Annex 46a to Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 may continue to be used until stocks run out or 1 May 2019, whichever is the earlier.
In accordance with Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 219/2007, the Joint Undertaking is to cease to exist on 31 December 2016 or eight years after an endorsement by the Council of the ATM Master Plan, whichever is the earlier.
Poland may, until 31 December 2010 or until the introduction of definitive arrangements, as referred to in Article 402, whichever is the earlier, continue to apply a reduced rate of not less than 7 % to the supply of restaurant services.
Cyprus may continue to apply a reduced rate of not less than 5 % to the supply of restaurant services, until 31 December 2007 or until the introduction of definitive arrangements, as referred to in Article 402, whichever is the earlier.
This discretion is available until 31 December 2010 or the date of entry into force of any modifications consequent to the treatment of large exposures pursuant to Article 119 of Directive 2006/48/EC, whichever is the earlier.
If the right holder withdraws his application, the right shall remain unchanged until its expiry or until the end of the five-year period, whichever is the earlier date.
In this case, the enterprise shall comply with the relevant standards by the end of the specified transitional period or the end of the investment period, whichever is the earlier.

Alternatives:

whichever is earlier
whichever comes first
the earlier of the two
the earlier one
the earlier option

This phrase is correct and commonly used when making a general statement about something happening first without a direct comparison.

"whichever is earlier"

This phrase is used when making a general statement about something happening first without directly comparing it to another item or event.

Examples:

You should arrive at the meeting room by 9:00 a.m., whichever is earlier.
Please complete the task by the end of the day, whichever is earlier for you.

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Chapter V as regards substitution checks shall apply from the date which each Member State shall determine and notify to the Commission or from 1 July 2009, whichever is earlier.
Expenditure, including for major projects, shall be eligible for a contribution from the Funds if it has actually been paid between the date of submission of the operational programmes to the Commission or from 1 January 2007, whichever is earlier, and 31 December 2015.
Accordingly, the special incentive arrangement should be granted to Cape Verde from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013 or until a date laid down by the successor Regulation, whichever is earlier.
It shall expire on 31 May 2007 or on the date of the launching of the EU crisis management operation, whichever is earlier.
Data retention period The Controller will process your data until the service is terminated or a request to unsubscribe is filed, whichever is earlier.
Unless Orders no Borders offers to remove the product itself, Orders no borders must wait to repay Orders no Borders received the product or customer to demonstrate that he has returned the product, whichever is earlier.
Regulation (EU) No 512/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council [2] extended the application of Regulation (EC) No 732/2008 to 31 December 2013 or until a date laid down by the successor Regulation, whichever is earlier.
Upon adoption of Financing Decision, 6 months after the end date or confirmation of eradication of the disease, whichever is earlier
whose term of office expires on 6 September 2018, or at the time of closure of the Centre, whichever is earlier.
The compensation referred to in paragraph 1 shall amount to the fair market value of the investment at the time immediately before the expropriation or the impending expropriation became known, whichever is earlier.
for other Member States from the date which each Member State shall determine and notify to the Commission or from 1 July 2009, whichever is earlier.
Validity of international driver's license is limited to the date of expiry of the national driver's license or the expiration of a period not exceeding three years from the date of issuance of international driving permit, depending on whichever is earlier.
Ticketing must be done within 72 hours after booking and at least 7 days before departure whichever is earlier.
Each pre-arrival registration will be valid for six months or until the expiry of the Indian passport linked to it, whichever is earlier.
These measures may only be applied during a transitional period ending 31 December 1998 unless parties agree otherwise, or when Ukraine becomes a Contracting Party to the GATT whichever is earlier.
Funds allocated to the loan guarantee instrument may be called upon until the last guarantee expires or until the last subordinated debt has been reimbursed, whichever is earlier.
The certificate is valid for intra-Community movements for a period of four months from the date of issue or until the date of expiry of the vaccination shown in Part IV, whichever is earlier.
Refund certificates shall be valid until the end of the eighth month following the month of issue, or until 30 September, whichever is earlier.
We can refuse the repayment until the products are returned to us or until you have furnished evidence that you have sent the products back to us, depending on whichever is earlier.
We may withhold the reimbursement until we have received the returned goods or until you have provided proof that you have returned the goods, whichever is earlier.

Alternatives:

whichever is the earlier
whichever comes first
the earlier option
the earlier time
the earlier deadline

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whichever is the earlier vs whichever is earlier