Grammar Whoever, Whatever, Whichever, Wherever, Whenever, However: I can cook whatever you want.
After this lesson, you will be able to say that you don't care about who someone is, what/where/when something is, and how something is done.
Exercise 1
Sentence Practice
- No matter how you do it, it is fine by me.
- However you do it, it is fine by me.
- You can order no matter what.
- You can order whatever you like.
- Choose whichever you feel like eating.
- We can go anywhere you want. It doesn't matter where.
- We can go wherever you want.
- I can come to your house, no matter when you call me.
- I can come to your house whenever you are ready.
- It doesn't matter who asks for it first, give it to that person.
- Give it to whoever asks for it first.
Grammar Focus
Adding –ever to question words changes their meaning to "it doesn’t matter how/what/which/when/where/who".
- who + '-ever' = whoever (it doesn't matter who)
- what + '-ever' = whatever (it doesn't matter what)
- where + '-ever' = wherever (it doesn't matter where)
- when + '-ever' = whenever (it doesn't matter when)
- which + '-ever' = whichever (it doesn't matter which one)
- how + '-ever' = however (it doesn't matter how/in what way)
'However/whatever/whichever/whenever/wherever/whoever' are called compound relative pronouns. They can be used as subjects, objects and adverbs, or as conjunctions to join a clause (= partial sentence) to the rest of the sentence.
However = in any way
- How should I do your hair?
- You can do it however you want. (= adverb modifying 'do')
Whatever = any thing (unlimited choices)
- What should I do today?
- Do whatever you feel like. (= object of action 'do')
Whichever = any one from a limited set
- Which book should I choose?
- Choose whichever you prefer. (= object of action 'choose')
Whenever = any time
- When should I come to your place?
- Come whenever you are ready. (= adverb that modifies 'come')
Wherever = any place
- Where should I live?
- You can live wherever you like. (= adverb that modifies 'live')
Whoever = any person
- Who should I invite to my birthday party?
- You can invite whoever you want. (= object of action 'invite')
Tip
'Whoever' can also be used as a subject, when the identity of the subject is not important or unknown. For instance, if you say, "Whoever left their dog at the park is very irresponsible!", you are saying that the person who left their dog is very irresponsible.
Exercise 2
Dialogue Practice
Read the dialogues aloud with your teacher.
Emily's Birthday
 Emily | Sunday is my birthday, so I can do whatever I want. |
 Chloe | And will your parents buy you whatever you want? |
 Emily | Yes! And I can invite whoever I want to my birthday party. |
Decorating a Christmas Tree
 Haruto | Can I decorate the tree however I want to? |
 Sarah | Hmm. That depends. |
 Haruto | Can I put the big star anywhere? |
 Sarah | No, you can't put the big star wherever you want. You should put it on the top of the tree. |
 Haruto | And does it matter what branches I put the bulbs on? |
 Sarah | No, you can put the bulbs on whichever branches you want. |
Opening a New Coffee Shop
 Coffee Shop Clerk | Where should we open the next branch of our coffee shop? |
 Manager | We have a big budget, so we can open it wherever we want. |
Exercise 3
Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word: whoever, whatever, wherever, whenever, whichever or however.
1. Tell ___________________ comes to go away.
2. ________________________ I go, I bring my dog.
3._________________________ I travel, I bring my dog.
4. __________________________ much he exercises, he is still overweight.
5. Here are two books. __________________________ one you choose, you are sure to like it.
6. __________________________ I ate last night really upset my stomach. I'm still throwing up.
7. _______________________________ long it takes, I will climb Mt. Everest!
8. Here is a red pen and a black pen. Take ________________________________ one you need.
Exercise 4
Sentence Building
You are going to spend a day with a friend. They keep asking you about your preferences. Tell them that you're fine with anything using compound relative pronouns.
Eat out or make dinner together? → "I'm fine with whichever."
- Do you want to eat Italian, Chinese, or Spanish?
- Are there any foods you don't like?
- Are there any movies you want to see?
- Is there anything you want to do?
- Is there any day that you want to meet up?
- Is there anywhere you want to go?
- Is there a way you want to spend this day?
- Do you want to have a picnic or eat at a restaurant?
- Do you want to go hiking, swimming, or jogging?
