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Using what, whoever, whichever, whatever and other advanced relative structures.
English has relative constructions that combine the functions of a relative marker and the noun or noun phrase it refers to.
Important examples include what, whatever, whoever, and whichever, as well as related fused relative constructions.
What can mean the thing that or the things that and introduces a clause without a separate antecedent noun.
For example, Take what you need means Take the things that you need.
What is normally used without a separate antecedent noun when it has the meaning of the thing that.
Use I know what you mean, not I know the thing what you mean. Use the thing that when an antecedent noun is present.
What can refer to an unspecified thing or set of things, depending on context.
For example, What she said surprised me and I took what I needed.
What can function as the subject of a fused relative clause.
For example, What happened yesterday was unexpected.
What can function as the object of the verb inside a fused relative clause.
For example, I understand what you mean.
What-clauses can function as subjects or complements in sentences with be.
For example, What I need is more time and This is what I wanted.
A what-clause can function as a subject complement after be, identifying or describing what the subject represents.
For example, The problem is what we should do next.
Whoever means any person who and can introduce a fused relative clause referring to an unspecified person.
For example, Whoever finishes first can leave.
Whoever can function as the subject of a clause.
For example, Whoever told you that was mistaken.
Whoever can function as the object of a verb.
For example, Invite whoever you want.
Whatever means anything that or any thing or matter that and can introduce a fused relative clause.
For example, Take whatever you need.
Whatever can express that there is no restriction on which thing, action, or option is selected.
For example, Choose whatever you like.
Whichever refers to any one of a limited or known set of alternatives.
For example, Choose whichever option is cheaper.
Whatever expresses unrestricted choice, while whichever normally refers to a choice from a particular or limited set.
Compare Take whatever you want with Choose whichever of these three you prefer.
Whoever can often correspond to anyone who, but whoever forms a single fused relative construction without a separate noun.
For example, Whoever arrives first can start the meeting is similar to Anyone who arrives first can start the meeting.
Whatever can often correspond to anything that in meaning.
For example, Whatever you choose is fine is similar to Anything that you choose is fine.
Whichever can identify one item from a limited set in a way similar to any one that or any of the options that.
For example, Choose whichever route is faster refers to a choice among known alternatives.
Fused relative constructions can appear with modal verbs when the result or possibility is hypothetical.
For example, Whoever may have taken the keys should return them and Whatever may happen, stay calm.
Forms such as whoever, whatever, and whichever contain ever-elements that contribute a meaning of unrestricted or indefinite reference.
The choice between who, what, which, and the corresponding -ever form depends on whether the reference is definite, indefinite, or unrestricted.
Fused relative expressions can occur with to-infinitives when the meaning involves selecting or identifying something to do, use, or choose.
For example, Choose whichever to use first is possible only in contexts where the intended ellipsis is clear; more explicit forms such as whichever one to use are often preferred.
Whatever can introduce a concessive clause meaning regardless of what happens or what is true.
For example, Whatever happens, we will continue.
Whoever can introduce a concessive clause meaning regardless of who performs the action or satisfies the condition.
For example, Whoever wins, we will support the team.
Whichever can introduce a concessive or unrestricted alternative clause involving a limited set of possibilities.
For example, Whichever route you take, you will arrive eventually.
Whatever can often express a meaning similar to no matter what in concessive clauses.
For example, Whatever happens, stay calm is similar to No matter what happens, stay calm.
Whoever can express a meaning similar to no matter who when introducing a concessive clause.
For example, Whoever you choose, make sure they are qualified is similar to No matter who you choose, make sure they are qualified.
What introduces an unrestricted thing or set of things, while which normally requires an antecedent or identifies an item from a known set.
For example, I will take what you offer differs from I will take the option which you recommend.
Fused relative clauses can function as subjects, objects, complements, and other noun-like constituents in complex sentences.
For example, What she decided surprised everyone and We accepted whatever he proposed.
Fused relative constructions occur in both conversation and formal writing, although some patterns are more common in particular registers.
What and whatever are very common, while highly complex whoever, whichever, and formal fused constructions may be more characteristic of written English.
Use fused relative constructions without adding an unnecessary antecedent noun or confusing them with ordinary relative clauses.
Common mistakes include using what after an explicit antecedent noun, confusing whatever with whichever, using whoever when a specific person is intended, and treating concessive -ever clauses as ordinary defining relative clauses.