grammar · neutral

whoever / whatever + V

Band 4-5speakingtask2

free relative pronouns used to mean 'anyone who' or 'anything that/whatever', introducing a clause without a specific antecedent.

Examples

“Whoever arrives first can choose a seat.”

“Whatever you decide will be fine with me.”

“Whoever said that was mistaken.”

Band 8 sentence

“Whoever is selected for the scholarship will be expected to demonstrate leadership as well as academic excellence.”

Collocations

  • whoever + V
  • whatever + clause

Word family

whoever free relative pronounwhatever free relative pronoun

Common mistakes

Whoever he comes, we will help him.→Whoever comes, we will help him.

Whatever that you do is OK.→Whatever you do is OK.

Say it for a higher band

5anyone who / anything that→6who + that + V→7+whoever / whatever + V

Synonyms

anyone who / anything that

Easily confused

anyone who / anything that

“Whatever you choose, make sure it suits your needs.”

Related words

defining vs non-defining relative clauses (use of commas and that/which/who), who + Vthe + superlative + N + (that) + S + Veach of whom + V, which is why + S + VIndefinite pronouns + who/that + V (someone/anyone/anything + who/that)the majority of + N + who + Vthose who + V

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In Relative clauses

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