Words like whatever, whoever, whichever, wherever, whenever and however are formed by adding -ever to a wh-word. When they introduce a clause, they usually add the meaning "it doesn't matter what/who/which/where/when/how" — this is called a concessive wh-ever clause. The clause states that a certain result or attitude holds true no matter which option, person, place, time or degree is involved.
This is a different structure from the linking adverb however (meaning "but"), and from the concession conjunctions although, even though, despite and in spite of — see our concession clauses page for those. Wh-ever clauses instead build the idea of "no matter which one" directly into a single compound word.
Whatever
Whatever means "no matter what" or "it doesn't matter what," and can also mean "anything that."
- Whatever you decide, I'll support you. (no matter what you decide)
- I'll eat whatever you cook. (anything that you cook)
- Whatever happens, stay calm.
Whoever
Whoever means "no matter who" or "anyone who." Unlike the other wh-ever words, whoever is very often the subject of its own clause and also, together with that clause, functions as the subject or object of the main verb — a nominal relative use.
- Whoever wins, we'll celebrate. (no matter who wins)
- Whoever broke the window should apologise. (the whole clause "whoever broke the window" is the subject of "should apologise")
- Invite whoever you like. (anyone who you like)
Whichever
Whichever means "no matter which," and is normally used when choosing from a limited or implied set of options (compare whatever, which is more open-ended).
- Whichever route you take, it's a long drive. (no matter which of the available routes)
- Choose whichever colour you like. (from the colours on offer)
Wherever
Wherever means "no matter where" or "in/at any place."
- Wherever you go, I'll follow.
- Sit wherever you like. (in any place you like)
Whenever
Whenever means "no matter when" or "at any/every time."
- Whenever she calls, I answer. (every time she calls)
- Come whenever suits you. (at any time that suits you)
However + Adjective/Adverb
However, followed directly by an adjective or adverb, means "no matter how [degree]."
- However hard you try, it won't be easy.
- However much it costs, we'll buy it.
Important distinction: This concessive however (however + adjective/adverb, meaning "no matter how...") is grammatically different from the linking adverb however that means "but" and typically starts or interrupts a sentence with a comma, e.g. "The plan was risky. However, it worked." Concessive however is always followed directly by an adjective or adverb and is part of a subordinate clause, not a separate sentence.
Rule Table
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
whatever | no matter what / anything that | Whatever you decide, I'll support you. |
whoever | no matter who / anyone who | Whoever broke the window should apologise. |
whichever | no matter which (of a set) | Whichever route you take, it's a long drive. |
wherever | no matter where / any place | Sit wherever you like. |
whenever | no matter when / any time | Come whenever suits you. |
however + adj/adv | no matter how [degree] | However hard you try, it won't be easy. |
Position in the Sentence
Wh-ever clauses can go at the start of the sentence, usually followed by a comma before the main clause, or after the main clause with no comma.
- Whatever happens, don't panic. (clause first, comma before main clause)
- Don't panic whatever happens. (main clause first, no comma)
Wh-Ever vs. Plain Wh-Words
Adding -ever changes the meaning from a specific reference to an open, "it doesn't matter which one" meaning. Compare:
- Tell me what you want. (a specific, particular thing) vs. Tell me whatever you want. (anything at all, no restriction)
- I don't know who called. (a specific, unknown person) vs. Whoever called, tell them I'm busy. (no matter which person it was)
Plain relative pronouns (what, who, which, where, when) refer to one particular, identifiable thing, person, place or time. The -ever forms remove that restriction and add the idea "it doesn't matter which."
Common Mistakes
-
Confusing concessive "however + adjective" with the linking adverb "however": These are two different structures with the same spelling.
Concessive: However tired you are, finish the report.
Linking adverb: I was tired. However, I finished the report. -
Wrong word order after concessive "however": the word order must be however + adjective/adverb + subject + verb, not subject-verb-adjective.
Wrong: However you try hard, it won't be easy.
Correct: However hard you try, it won't be easy. -
Using "whatever" where a specific reference is meant: if you are referring to one particular, known thing, use plain what, not whatever.
Less accurate: I don't understand whatever you mean. (sounds dismissive/wrong here)
Correct: I don't understand what you mean. -
Forgetting the comma after a fronted wh-ever clause: when the clause comes first, a comma normally separates it from the main clause.
Wrong: Whatever you decide I'll support you.
Correct: Whatever you decide, I'll support you.
Practice Tips
Test with "it doesn't matter": If you can replace a wh-ever clause with "it doesn't matter what/who/which/where/when/how...", you have used it correctly as a concessive clause.
- Practise the however word order: Drill the pattern "however + adjective/adverb + subject + verb" until it becomes automatic, since learners often default to normal statement order.
- Contrast plain vs. -ever forms: Write pairs of sentences with "what/who/which/where/when" and their "-ever" equivalents to feel the difference between a specific reference and an open, no-restriction meaning.
- Notice the comma: When reading, notice how a fronted wh-ever clause is nearly always followed by a comma before the main clause.
Practice Exercises
Grammar Quiz
Choose the correct wh-ever word for each concessive clause.
Complete the Sentence
Type the missing whatever/whoever/however word in each sentence.
True or False
Decide whether each wh-ever clause is formed and punctuated correctly.
Flash Cards
Drill plain wh-words against their -ever concessive equivalents.
Matching Pairs
Match wh-ever clauses to their "it doesn't matter..." meaning.
Unjumble
Reorder scrambled words into a correctly formed however clause.
Practise Concessive Wh-Ever Clauses
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are concessive wh-ever clauses?
Concessive wh-ever clauses are formed by adding "-ever" to a wh-word (whatever, whoever, whichever, wherever, whenever, however) to mean "it doesn't matter what/who/which/where/when/how." For example, "Whatever you decide, I'll support you" means "it doesn't matter what you decide." They state that a result or attitude is true regardless of which option applies.
What is the difference between "whatever" and "whichever"?
"Whatever" is open-ended and used when there is no fixed or implied set of options: "I'll eat whatever you cook." "Whichever" is used when choosing from a limited or implied set of options: "Choose whichever colour you like" implies choosing from the colours available. In many everyday sentences the two overlap, but "whichever" specifically signals a restricted choice.
Why is "whoever" different from the other wh-ever words?
"Whoever" very often functions as the subject of its own clause while the whole clause also acts as the subject or object of the main verb, a "nominal relative" use. For example, in "Whoever broke the window should apologise," the clause "whoever broke the window" is itself the subject of "should apologise." The other wh-ever words (whatever, wherever, etc.) more commonly introduce an adverbial concessive clause rather than acting as the main clause's subject.
How is concessive "however" different from "however" meaning "but"?
Concessive "however" is directly followed by an adjective or adverb and introduces a subordinate clause meaning "no matter how [degree]": "However hard you try, it won't be easy." The linking adverb "however," meaning "but," starts or interrupts an independent sentence and is usually set off by a comma: "The plan was risky. However, it worked." They look identical but have completely different grammar and punctuation.
What is the correct word order after concessive "however"?
The correct order is "however + adjective/adverb + subject + verb," for example "However hard you try..." Learners often mistakenly put the subject and verb before the adjective, producing incorrect sentences like "However you try hard..." Always keep the adjective or adverb immediately after "however" and before the subject.
Do wh-ever clauses need a comma?
When a wh-ever clause comes at the start of the sentence, it is normally followed by a comma before the main clause: "Whatever happens, stay calm." When the wh-ever clause comes after the main clause, no comma is usually needed: "Stay calm whatever happens."
What is the difference between "what you want" and "whatever you want"?
"What you want" (without -ever) usually refers to one specific, particular thing the speaker has in mind, as in "Tell me what you want" (the specific thing you want). "Whatever you want" removes that restriction and means "anything at all, with no limit": "Tell me whatever you want" invites any answer, without restriction.
Can wh-ever clauses come after the main clause?
Yes. Wh-ever clauses can appear either before the main clause, usually with a comma ("Whatever you decide, I'll support you"), or after the main clause, usually without a comma ("I'll support you whatever you decide"). Both orders are equally correct; the choice is mainly a matter of emphasis and style.
Is "whoever" the same as "anyone who"?
Yes, in many contexts "whoever" can be paraphrased as "anyone who" or "no matter who": "Invite whoever you like" means "invite anyone who you like," and "Whoever wins, we'll celebrate" means "no matter who wins, we'll celebrate." Both paraphrases capture the open, unrestricted meaning of "whoever."
At what level are wh-ever concessive clauses typically taught?
Concessive wh-ever clauses (whatever, whoever, whichever, wherever, whenever, however + adjective/adverb) are typically introduced at B2 level and refined further at C1, since they require learners to already be comfortable with relative pronouns and basic concession structures like although and despite. They regularly appear in Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced reading and use-of-English materials.