Whoever, Whatever & Whichever
Level B2 · Relative Clauses
whoever, whatever, and whichever combine a relative pronoun with -ever to mean 'any person/thing that' or, in a different use, 'it doesn't matter who/what/which' — a concessive meaning. Whoever arrives first can choose the seats means 'any person who arrives first' (the free-relative use); Whatever you decide, I'll support you means 'it doesn't matter what you decide' (the concessive use) — the same word can carry either meaning depending on the sentence.
Two related uses, sharing the same forms:
- Free relative use ('any person/thing that...'), acting as the subject or object of the sentence, with no separate antecedent needed: Whoever broke the window should apologize (= the person who broke it); Take whichever bag you prefer (= the bag that you prefer, out of a known set).
- Concessive use ('no matter who/what/which...'), usually opening the sentence and followed by a full result clause: Whatever happens, stay calm; Whoever calls, tell them I'm busy; Whichever route you take, it's a long drive.
- whichever specifically implies choosing from a limited, known set of options, unlike whoever/whatever, which are open-ended: Choose whichever color you like (from the colors available) vs Choose whatever you like (no limit implied).
- however can join this family too, but modifies an adjective or adverb rather than standing for a person or thing: However difficult it is, keep trying (no matter how difficult).
The most common mistake is stacking a second concessive marker on top of the -ever word — no matter whatever you choose and whatever if you choose are both wrong; the -ever word alone already carries the 'no matter' meaning: Whatever you choose. A second mistake is confusing whoever with whomever in formal writing — whoever is the subject form (Whoever calls, put them through — whoever is the subject of calls), whomever is the (increasingly rare) object form (Give it to whomever you trust — whomever is the object of trust).
Look for a wh-word + ever with no separate antecedent noun before it — if it means 'any person/thing that', it's the free-relative use; if it opens a sentence with a comma before a full result clause and means 'no matter who/what/which', it's the concessive use. Check whether options are limited and known (whichever) or open-ended (whoever/whatever).