Relative words with the suffix 'ever': How and When to Use in English
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Relative words with the suffix 'ever'
The suffix -EVER is added to certain relative words WHO / WHOSE / WHOM / WHICH / WHERE / WHAT to express meanings such as 'it doesn't matter what', 'all', or 'every':
Whichever decision you make, I'm sure it will be the right one. It doesn't matter which decision you make, I'm sure it will be the right one.
Whoever stole my mug should bring it back immediately. The person who stole my mug should bring it back immediately, and I don't care who this person is.
The director will cast whomever he finds suitable. The director will cast the person he finds suitable.
Whatever he asks for, you should give it to him. No matter what he asks for, you should give it to him.
Whenever she speaks in public she makes a fool of herself. Every time she speaks in public she makes a fool of herself.
Wherever she goes, she meets him. It doesn't matter where she goes, she always meets him.
Whoever stole my mug should bring it back immediately. The person who stole my mug should bring it back immediately, and I don't care who this person is.
The director will cast whomever he finds suitable. The director will cast the person he finds suitable.
Whatever he asks for, you should give it to him. No matter what he asks for, you should give it to him.
Whenever she speaks in public she makes a fool of herself. Every time she speaks in public she makes a fool of herself.
Wherever she goes, she meets him. It doesn't matter where she goes, she always meets him.
The suffix -SOEVER can also be used in some circumstances, mostly after WHAT. It is generally used at the end of a sentence, and has a very similar meaning to "at all".
He won't say anything whatsoever. He won't say anything at all: he is completely silent.
He didn't expect any presents whatsoever. He didn't expect any presents at all.
He didn't expect any presents whatsoever. He didn't expect any presents at all.
Exercise 1
Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.
Darling, Iāll be happy we get married. Even in a pub.
Doors open at 7pm, but you can arrive you want.
monkey we choose to adopt, I will still feel sad thinking about the ones we didnāt choose.
Darling, Iāll be happy we get married. Even in a pub.
Doors open at 7pm, but you can arrive you want.
monkey we choose to adopt, I will still feel sad thinking about the ones we didnāt choose.
Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.
Darling, Iāll be happy wherever 1 we get married. Even in a pub.
Doors open at 7pm, but you can arrive whenever 2 you want.
Whichever 3 monkey we choose to adopt, I will still feel sad thinking about the ones we didnāt choose.
Darling, Iāll be happy wherever 1 we get married. Even in a pub.
Doors open at 7pm, but you can arrive whenever 2 you want.
Whichever 3 monkey we choose to adopt, I will still feel sad thinking about the ones we didnāt choose.
1 wherever: The phrase "in a pub" refers to a location or place, so the word "wherever" is the most logical here. The speaker is saying that it doesn't matter where they get married: the speaker will still be happy regardless. Another example: "I don't mind where we go on vacation. We can go wherever you want".
1 whichever: The words "which" and "whichever" are used to refer to a fixed or limited set of choices. For example, we might ask "Which one do you prefer?" while presenting someone with a choice of three shirts of different colors. The other person might respond: "They're all nice. I'll buy whichever one is cheapest", meaning that although they don't know which shirt is cheapest, they would prefer to buy the shirt that is cheapest.
1 whatever: As a general rule, "whatever" is used with transitive verbs, meaning verbs which take a direct object. Those verbs can be immediately followed by the word "something". For example: you can like something, eat something or say something, so we can say "whatever you like", "whatever I eat" or "whatever they say". "To get married" cannot take a direct object: you get married to someone, but you cannot "get married something", so we can't say "whatever we get married".
2 whenever: The phrase "at 7pm" refers to a time of day, so it makes most sense to use the time-related word "whenever" here. The speaker is saying that attendees of the event in question (which could be a concert, for example), can arrive at any time (after 7pm). Another example: "Whenever you need someone to listen, I'll be here" (meaning: I will be here at any time that you need someone to listen).
2 wherever: Although this sentence would not be grammatically incorrect with "wherever", it is not the most logical choice. "Wherever" refers to physical location. The speaker in this sentence is talking about time, and there is no obvious reason to connect a statement about time and a statement about location using the word "but".
2 whomever: This choice is grammatically incorrect. "Whomever" refers to a person who is the object of a verb. Therefore, it is used with verbs which can be immediately followed by the word "someone". For example, we can touch someone, therefore we can say "Touch whomever you like, as long as you have their permission". We cannot "arrive someone", so we cannot say "arrive whomever you want".
3 Whichever: The relative word "whichever" refers to one of a set of options or choices. This speaker is saying that it doesn't matter which monkey they choose to adopt: the speaker will still feel sad. Another example: "I will be delighted, whichever of these two cakes you bake for me".
3 Whoever: Just like the word "who", the relative word "whoever" must be immediately followed by a verb (not a noun like "monkey"). For example: -Who is coming with us to the festival? -I don't know, but I'm sure we'll enjoy it whoever comes (meaning "regardless of who comes").
3 Whatever: Although this sentence is not wrong with "whatever", it is not the most logical option. When "whatever" is used with a noun, it implies an open, undefined choice. If particular options are mentioned (as in the phrase "the other monkeys"), "whichever" is more appropriate. We might say, for example: "Whatever animals exist a million years from now, I'm sure they will still have cute babies" (we are not referring to specific animals so there is no defined choice or selection).
Exercise 2
Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.
You can decorate the bedroom you like. I donāt care, as long as you donāt paint it black.
Dad, Iāll support you you decide to do.
Polly and Hannah are very evenly matched at chess. wins, Iām sure it will be a close game.
You can decorate the bedroom you like. I donāt care, as long as you donāt paint it black.
Dad, Iāll support you you decide to do.
Polly and Hannah are very evenly matched at chess. wins, Iām sure it will be a close game.
Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.
You can decorate the bedroom however 1 you like. I donāt care, as long as you donāt paint it black.
Dad, Iāll support you whatever 2 you decide to do.
Polly and Hannah are very evenly matched at chess. Whoever 3 wins, Iām sure it will be a close game.
You can decorate the bedroom however 1 you like. I donāt care, as long as you donāt paint it black.
Dad, Iāll support you whatever 2 you decide to do.
Polly and Hannah are very evenly matched at chess. Whoever 3 wins, Iām sure it will be a close game.
1 however: "However" in this kind of context means "in any manner" or "using any method" (it doesn't matter how). The speaker is saying that they have no preference about the manner in which the bedroom is decorated, as long as it is not painted black. Another example: "You can speak to me however you want, but please don't be aggressive towards my son".
1 whichever: "Whichever" means "regardless of which option is selected". It doesn't make sense in this sentence because it would need to be followed by a noun. We could say: "You can decorate the bedroom whichever way you want" or "ā¦using whichever style you want" (this would imply a defined list of possible "ways" or "styles").
1 whatever: "Whatever" doesn't make sense in this sentence because it would need to be followed by a noun. We could say: "You can decorate the bedroom whatever way you want" or "ā¦using whatever style you want" (this would imply unlimited or indefinite possibilities of "way" or "style").
2 whatever: This sentence means "It doesn't matter what you decide to do: I will support you regardless". We use "whatever" with verbs (or phrases) which can be immediately followed by the word "something" (we can "decide to do something", so we can say "whatever you decide to do"). Another example: I can imagine something -> Draw whatever you can imagine.
2 whenever: This sentence would be incomplete if we used the word "whenever". We can't ask someone "When are you going to do?" because "do" requires an object or complement. We could say: "When are you going to do the dishes?" and therefore "Whenever I do the dishes, I feel resentful that my housemates haven't helped me" (meaning: "at any time that I do the dishesā¦").
2 however: This sentence would be incomplete if we used the word "however". We can't ask someone "How are you going to do?" because "do" requires an object or complement. We could say: "How are you going to do the dishes without water?" and therefore "However you decide to do the dishes, I'll be happy, as long as they're clean" (meaning: "it doesn't matter what technique you use to do the dishesā¦").
3 Whoever: This sentence means "I'm sure it will be a close game, regardless of who wins" or "ā¦whether Polly wins or Hannah wins". The term "whoever" means "it doesn't matter who" and is immediately followed by a verb. For example: "Whoever becomes our new boss, I doubt they will be as good as Juliette was".
3 Whenever: "Whenever" refers to time, and doesn't make sense in this sentence. "Whenever" means "at any time thatā¦" or "it doesn't matter whenā¦". For example: "Whenever I travel by plane, I plant 50 trees to neutralize my carbon emissions" (At any time that I travel by planeā¦); "Come whenever you want!" (It doesn't matter when you come; come at any time).
3 However: This sentence would be incomplete with "however", as the verb "wins" would be missing a subject. We could say: "However one of them winsā¦" (regardless of the way in which one of them wins). "However" in this context means "it doesn't matter how". Another example: "You can write the article however you prefer".
Exercise 3
Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.
Excuse me, maāam, is the best route to take to the red light district?
I donāt want to be around when humanity goes extinct, it happens.
A giant blue statue of a spider. Thatās I want for my birthday.
Excuse me, maāam, is the best route to take to the red light district?
I donāt want to be around when humanity goes extinct, it happens.
A giant blue statue of a spider. Thatās I want for my birthday.
Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.
Excuse me, maāam, which 1 is the best route to take to the red light district?
I donāt want to be around when humanity goes extinct, however 2 it happens.
A giant blue statue of a spider. Thatās what 3 I want for my birthday.
Excuse me, maāam, which 1 is the best route to take to the red light district?
I donāt want to be around when humanity goes extinct, however 2 it happens.
A giant blue statue of a spider. Thatās what 3 I want for my birthday.
1 which: "Which is the best routeā¦?" is a way to ask about the optimal way to travel somewhere. Using the question word "which" implies that there is a set choice between a fixed number of options. Another example: "Which flavor do you prefer: caramel or toffee?".
1 whichever: We cannot use "whichever" in this sentence. "Whichever" means "it doesn't matter whichā¦" or "regardless of whichā¦". As a general rule, it isn't used in questions. We might say: "Whichever route you take, please drive carefully" (Regardless of which route you take, please drive carefully).
2 however: This sentence means "It doesn't matter (to me) how humanity goes extinct: in any case, I don't want to be present when it happens". "However" means "it doesn't matter howā¦" or "regardless of howā¦". Another example: "I don't believe her, however convincing you think she is" (Regardless of how convincing you think she is, I still don't believe her).
2 how: "How" doesn't make sense in this sentence. We use "how" to ask about a method, or refer to a way of doing things. For example: -How do you manage to have four different romantic partners? -Let me tell you how I do itā¦
3 what: "What" as a relative pronoun means "the thing that" or "that which". The speaker's sentence means "That is the thing that I want (for my birthday)". Another example: "Just tell me what you would like me to sing!".
3 whatever: "Whatever" doesn't make sense in this sentence. As a relative word, "whatever" means "regardless of the thing thatā¦" or "it doesn't matter whatā¦". For example: "Whatever I want for my birthday, you have to buy me it" (It doesn't matter what specific thing I want for my birthday: you still have to buy it for me).
Exercise 4
Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.
Luna, Iāll always be your friend, you choose to sleep with. Except Jean. Heās off limits.
Iām sure there was a time I knew how to walk to the bank. Now I just look it up on my phone each time.
happens, I promise you this: I will always make fun of you when you fall over.
Luna, Iāll always be your friend, you choose to sleep with. Except Jean. Heās off limits.
Iām sure there was a time I knew how to walk to the bank. Now I just look it up on my phone each time.
happens, I promise you this: I will always make fun of you when you fall over.
Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.
Luna, Iāll always be your friend, whomever 1 you choose to sleep with. Except Jean. Heās off limits.
Iām sure there was a time when 2 I knew how to walk to the bank. Now I just look it up on my phone each time.
Whatever 3 happens, I promise you this: I will always make fun of you when you fall over.
Luna, Iāll always be your friend, whomever 1 you choose to sleep with. Except Jean. Heās off limits.
Iām sure there was a time when 2 I knew how to walk to the bank. Now I just look it up on my phone each time.
Whatever 3 happens, I promise you this: I will always make fun of you when you fall over.
1 whomever: This sentence means: "It doesn't matter whom you choose to sleep with: I will always be your friend". The speaker then adds "Except Jean" to exclude Jean from the previous statement. Like "whom", "whomever" is used to refer to the object of the verb. Another example: "You may invite whomever you like to our wedding!"
1 whom: "I'll always be your friend, whom you choose to sleep with" would imply that the speaker and Luna sleep together. This is entirely possible, but then it wouldn't make sense to say "except Jean" immediately afterwards!
2 when: "There was a time whenā¦" has the same meaning as "There was a time at whichā¦" or "There was a period during whichā¦". Another example: "Do you remember a time when you knew your neighbors?".
2 whenever: "Whenever" cannot be used in this sentence. "Whenever" means "at any time whenā¦" or "regardless of whenā¦". For example: "Whenever I watch a movie, I feel more relaxed afterwards" (On any occasion that I watch a movieā¦); "We'll be happy to see you whenever you come" (ā¦regardless of the time when you come).
3 Whatever: "Whatever happensā¦" is a common phrase meaning "Regardless of what happensā¦" or "It doesn't matter what occursā¦". For example: "Whatever happens, do not tell them about the radioactive fish" (It doesn't matter what else occurs: you must not tell them about the radioactive fish in any situation).
3 What: The relative pronoun "what (happens)" means "the thing that (happens)". This doesn't work in this sentence, because "what happens" must function as the subject or object of a verb. For example: "What happens when I try to restart my computer is really strange" (subject); "I don't understand what happens at the end of that movie" (object).
Exercise 5
Complete these sentences with a word that ends with the letters ever.
We can meet you want: 11am, 3pmā¦ Iām free all day!
I like both restaurants equally. Choose one has the best special offers.
we travel there ā by train or by bus ā we should really book the tickets soon.
We can meet you want: 11am, 3pmā¦ Iām free all day!
I like both restaurants equally. Choose one has the best special offers.
we travel there ā by train or by bus ā we should really book the tickets soon.
Complete these sentences with a word that ends with the letters ever.
We can meet whenever 1 you want: 11am, 3pmā¦ Iām free all day!
I like both restaurants equally. Choose whichever 2 one has the best special offers.
However 3 we travel there ā by train or by bus ā we should really book the tickets soon.
We can meet whenever 1 you want: 11am, 3pmā¦ Iām free all day!
I like both restaurants equally. Choose whichever 2 one has the best special offers.
However 3 we travel there ā by train or by bus ā we should really book the tickets soon.
1 whenever: Because the speaker refers to times in the second half of the sentence (11am, 3pm, all day), it makes most sense to use the time word "whenever" here. "Whenever" means "at any time thatā¦". For example: "Whenever you feel lonely, just call me" (At any time that you feel lonely, just call me).
2 whichever: When we are talking about a defined list of options, we use "whichever" to indicate that it doesn't matter which of the options is chosen, or to refer to the option which has certain properties but whose identity is currently unknown. In this sentence, the speaker doesn't know which of the two restaurants is cheaper, but is happy for the cheaper one to be chosen.
3 However: Because the speaker refers to methods of travel (by train or by bus), it makes most sense to use "however" in this sentence. "However" means "Regardless of the methodā¦" or "It doesn't matter howā¦". In this case, it means that whether we travel by train or by bus doesn't matter: in either case, we should still book the tickets soon.
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