It doesn’t matter how,what,when, etc.
If we add -evertowh-words likehow, what, which, when, whereandwho, we change their meaning.
form | meaning |
however | ‘any way at all’ or ‘it doesn’t matter how’ |
whatever | ‘anything at all’ or ‘it doesn’t matter what’ |
whichever | ‘any one at all’ or ‘it doesn’t matter which’ |
whenever | ‘any time at all’ or ‘it doesn’t matter when’ |
wherever | ‘any place at all’ or ‘it doesn’t matter where’ |
whoever | ‘any person at all’ or ‘it doesn’t matter who’ |
Howeveryou try to explain it, I still can’t understand it.(Any way at all that you try to explain it … /It doesn’t matter how you try …)
Please takewhateveryou want from the fridge if you feel hungry.(anything at allthat you want)
Whateveryou do, don’t lose this key.
Choosewhichevertime suits you best then write your name against that time on the list.
Call inwheneveryou like. I’m always at home.(at any time at all that you like)
Whereveryou live, you have the right to a good postal service.(it doesn’t matter where you live)
Whoeveryou ask, you will get the same answer: no.(any person you ask/it doesn’t matter who you ask)
Emphasising questions
We can usewh-words with -everto ask very emphatic questions.In speaking, we stress-ever:
Howeverwill you manage to live on such a small income?(stronger thanHow will you manage…?)
Charlie,whateverare you doing?(stronger thanWhat are you doing?)
Wheneverare you going to stop complaining? You’re getting on everyone’s nerves!
Being vague:whatever,whenever,wherever,whoever
We can usewhatever, whenever, whereverandwhoeveralone to refer in a non-specific way to people and things:
A:Shall I send you all the dates and times?
B:Yes,whatever.That would be useful. Thanks. (it doesn’t matter what you send)
A:What time shall I come?
B:Whenever,really. (no specific time/it doesn’t matter)
If you talk to the manageror whoever, you’ll be able to find out what’s happening.(talk to the manager or a similar, unspecified person)
Sometimes people usewhateverin a sarcastic or disrespectful way, usually saying it in an exaggerated way, to show they are not interested (for example, with exaggerated intonation):
Parent:You’d better start saving money if you want to go to university!
Teenager:Whatever!
Whatsoever
Whatsoeveris an emphatic form ofwhatever. It is most common after a negative phrase:
He seems to have no ambitionswhatsoever.
I can see no reasonwhatsoeverwhy she should not attend classes.