FluencyLab
GrammarHub
Use compound relative words to mean any thing/time/place/person/way or to introduce an unrestricted choice or unknown reference.
Overview
Use compound relative words to mean any thing/time/place/person/way or to introduce an unrestricted choice or unknown reference.
Form and rules
Whatever can mean anything that or it doesn't matter what: Take whatever you need.
Whoever means anyone who / it doesn't matter who; wherever means any place where.
Whenever means any time when; however can mean in whatever way or no matter how.
These words can introduce noun-like clauses: Whoever arrives first should call me.
Don't confuse however meaning in whatever way with however as a discourse marker meaning nevertheless.
A closer look
These words can introduce noun-like clauses: Whoever arrives first should call me.
Don't confuse however meaning in whatever way with however as a discourse marker meaning nevertheless.
Examples
Choose whatever you like.
Whoever finishes first can leave.
Sit wherever you feel comfortable.
Call me whenever you need help.
However you decide to do it, check the result.
Common mistakes
Whichever selects any one from a limited set of seats; it fits before the noun seat.
Whoever means any person who calls.
Ready to practise?
The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.