Whoever and whatever are indefinite pronouns used to refer to an unknown or unspecified person (whoever) or thing (whatever). Use whoever when the unknown word stands for a person, and whatever when it stands for an object, idea, or action.
What Do Whoever and Whatever Mean?
Both words are compounds of a question word (who or what) and the suffix -ever, which adds a sense of “any” or “no matter which.” They function as pronouns that introduce clauses, but they also appear in everyday speech as a way to express indifference or dismissal.
In grammar, they are called indefinite relative pronouns. Unlike a relative pronoun like which or who, they do not need an antecedent (a noun they refer back to). Instead, they contain their own antecedent. For example, in “Whoever arrives first gets a prize,” whoever means “the person who” — it is both the subject of the verb arrives and the subject of gets.
This dual role is why they can be tricky: whoever is always the subject form, while whomever is the object form. However, in modern English, whomever is rare and often sounds overly formal. Many style guides accept whoever in most contexts.
Whoever vs. Whomever: The Case Distinction
The main source of confusion is not whoever vs. whatever, but whoever vs. whomever. The rule is simple: use whoever when the pronoun is the subject of the verb inside its own clause, and whomever when it is the object.
- Whoever – subject: “Whoever finishes last still gets a medal.”
- Whomever – object: “Give the ticket to whomever you choose.”
But there is a catch: the pronoun’s role in its own clause takes priority over its role in the main clause. For example, “Give the ticket to whoever is at the door” is correct because whoever is the subject of is, even though it follows a preposition. Many people mistakenly write “whomever” there because they think the preposition requires the object case.
Whatever vs. Whatsoever: The Intensifier
Whatever also has a cousin: whatsoever. Both can mean “at all” or “of any kind,” but they are used differently. Whatever can stand alone as a pronoun or determiner, while whatsoever is only an intensifier that follows a noun or a negative phrase.
- Whatever as determiner: “Take whatever book you want.”
- Whatsoever as intensifier: “There is no doubt whatsoever.”
In informal speech, whatever is also used as a dismissive response, meaning “I don’t care” or “It doesn’t matter.” This usage became popular in the 1990s and is now a standard part of casual English.
How to Use Whoever and Whatever in Sentences
Both words can introduce noun clauses, which act as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence. Here are the main patterns:
- Subject of the main verb: “Whoever called left a message.” / “Whatever happened is a mystery.”
- Object of the main verb: “I will hire whoever is qualified.” / “She eats whatever she wants.”
- Object of a preposition: “Send it to whoever pays.” / “He is content with whatever comes.”
- Complement (after linking verb): “That is whoever you are looking for.” / “That is whatever you make it.”
In all these cases, the clause containing whoever or whatever functions as a single unit within the larger sentence.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
One frequent error is using whatever when referring to people. For example, “Whatever wants to come is welcome” is wrong because whatever refers to things, not people. Use whoever instead.
Another mistake is overusing whomever in an attempt to sound formal. As noted, if the pronoun is the subject of its own clause, whoever is correct. A good test: replace the clause with “he” or “him.” If “he” fits, use whoever; if “him” fits, use whomever. For example, “Give it to (he/him)?” — “him” fits, so “whomever” would be correct: “Give it to whomever you see.” But “Give it to whoever is there?” — “he is there” fits, so use “whoever.”
A third misconception is that whatever is always informal. In fact, it is perfectly acceptable in formal writing when used as a pronoun or determiner. Only the dismissive interjection (“Whatever!”) is informal.
Whoever and Whatever in Idioms and Fixed Phrases
Both words appear in common expressions that are worth knowing:
- “Whoever said that?” – A rhetorical question expressing doubt or disbelief.
- “Whatever it takes” – A phrase meaning willingness to do anything to achieve a goal.
- “Whatever floats your boat” – An informal idiom meaning “do what makes you happy.”
- “Whoever wins, we lose” – A phrase used in politics or sports to express that both options are bad.
These fixed expressions show how the words have moved beyond strict grammar into everyday rhetoric.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “whoever” singular or plural?
Whoever is always singular in form, but it can refer to one or more people. For example, “Whoever is coming should bring a dish” works whether one person or ten people come. The verb agrees with the singular pronoun: “whoever is,” not “whoever are.”
Can “whatever” be used for people?
No, not in standard English. Whatever refers to things, ideas, or actions. If you mean people, use whoever or whomever. Using whatever for people is a common error among learners.
What is the difference between “whatever” and “what ever”?
“What ever” as two words is a rare emphatic form of “what,” usually in a question like “What ever made you think that?” It means “what on earth.” Whatever as one word is the pronoun or determiner. In modern usage, the two-word form is almost obsolete; most people write “whatever” even in questions.
Is “whomever” still used?
Yes, but it is becoming rare. It appears in formal writing and in set phrases like “to whomever it may concern.” In everyday speech, most people use whoever even where the object form would be traditional. That said, using whomever correctly can make your writing sound more polished.
Can “whoever” and “whatever” be used in the same sentence?
Absolutely. For example: “Whoever made this mess must clean it up, whatever it takes.” Here whoever refers to the person and whatever refers to the necessary actions. They can appear in separate clauses or even in the same clause: “Whoever said whatever he said was mistaken.”
What is the etymology of “whoever” and “whatever”?
Both come from Old English. Who comes from hwā and what from hwæt, both Proto-Germanic roots. The suffix -ever comes from æfre, meaning “ever” or “at any time.” The compounds have been in use since Middle English, with whatever appearing around the 14th century and whoever slightly later.
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