When you’re learning English, you might find yourself a bit puzzled by phrases like “what ever” and “whatever.” They sound similar, don’t they? But their uses are quite different. Let’s break down how you can use these phrases correctly.
“What ever” and “whatever” are both valid phrases but have different uses. “What ever” is used to emphasize “what” in questions, expressing surprise or confusion. For example, you might say, “What ever do you mean?” when you are genuinely puzzled.
“Whatever” is more versatile. It can mean “anything at all” or be used to show indifference or a lack of preference. For instance, if someone asks which movie you want to watch, you might say, “Whatever you like,” indicating you have no strong preference.
Understanding “Whatever”
If you’ve heard someone say “whatever,” you’ve already encountered a very common English word. “Whatever” can be used in a few ways, which makes it a handy word to know.
Firstly, “whatever” can act as a pronoun to mean anything or everything that. Imagine you can’t decide which book to read from a pile. You might say, “I’ll read whatever book you choose.” Here, “whatever” refers to any book from the pile.
Secondly, “whatever” can also be used as a determiner, similar to “any” or “no matter what.” For example, if someone says, “Wear whatever you like to the party,” they mean that you can wear anything you choose.
Lastly, you might hear “whatever” used in conversations as a casual or slang term, often expressing indifference or lack of preference. For instance, during a discussion, if someone shrugs and says, “Whatever,” they might simply mean they don’t care about the topic or have no strong feelings about it.
Getting to Know “What Ever”
“What ever” is not as common and is often considered either old-fashioned or overly formal. It tends to appear more in written English than spoken English.
When “what ever” is used, it’s usually to emphasize the word “ever,” often in the context of a question. For instance, one might say, “What ever happened to your neighbor’s dog?” Here, the speaker isn’t just asking about the dog’s fate; they’re expressing surprise or confusion about not knowing what happened.
The separation of “what” and “ever” amplifies the feeling of concern or curiosity, something that combining them into “whatever” doesn’t quite achieve. It’s as if you’re turning up the volume on the word “ever” to really highlight your shock or interest.
Examples of Using “Whatever” and “What Ever”
Examples of “Whatever”:
- “You can choose whatever topping you want for the pizza.”
- “Whatever you do, don’t forget to lock the door.”
- “He said he’d be happy with whatever result we get.”
In these examples, “whatever” fits seamlessly into everyday scenarios, expressing a broad or unspecified choice from a set of options.
Examples of “What Ever”:
- “What ever did you say to him to make him so upset?”
- “What ever are we going to do about this mess?”
Notice how “what ever” appears in sentences where there’s a heightened emotion such as surprise, annoyance, or urgency?
So, When Do I Use Each One?
Think about what you want to say. Are you offering choices or are you expressing indifference? If so, “whatever” is your go-to word. If you’re drawing attention to an emotion or a dramatic question, you might choose “what ever” for a bit of added emphasis.
Here’s an easy way to remember: “whatever” can be a bucket catching any raindrops under it—any options, any choices. On the other hand, “what ever” is like pointing out a specific, surprising raindrop.
Always consider your audience and the formality of the situation. “Whatever” is considered perfectly acceptable and versatile in both casual conversations and more formal settings. “What ever,” while grammatically correct, might come off as overly dramatic or dated in everyday speech.
If you wish to keep your English modern and straightforward, sticking with “whatever” would serve you well in most situations.
Curious about other confusing English phrases? Have you ever wondered about when to use them appropriately in conversation? Knowing the difference can really boost your confidence in English.
Keeping these differences in mind can help you avoid mix-ups and make your English sound more natural. Enjoy using these phrases in your daily English chats!
