Whatever vs. What Ever – Which is Correct?
Whatever is usually the correct one-word spelling when it means “anything,” “regardless of what,” or an indifferent response. What ever is valid only when what and ever function separately, usually for emphasis in a question. Choose whatever in most everyday sentences, but preserve what ever when ever specifically intensifies what.
A similar distinction appears in When vs. Whenever, where meaning and grammatical role determine whether the forms can be combined.
Whatever or What Ever – Which is Correct?
Whatever and what ever are both valid in American English, but they are not interchangeable in every sentence. Whatever is normally written as one word when it functions as a pronoun, determiner, conjunction, or adverb. It can mean “anything that,” “regardless of what,” or “it does not matter.”
What ever is written as two words when what and ever retain separate roles. This construction is uncommon and usually adds emphasis, surprise, impatience, or disbelief to a question. For example, “What ever could she mean?” emphasizes the question more strongly than “What could she mean?”
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the “anything” swap test. If you can replace the expression with anything that, no matter what, or regardless of what, write whatever as one word: “Choose whatever you like” means “Choose anything that you like.”
If ever simply intensifies a question containing what, keep the words separate: “What ever were you thinking?” Here, ever means “at any time” or adds emotional emphasis rather than forming the single word whatever.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| whatever | Pronoun, determiner, conjunction, or adverb | Anything that; no matter what; an indifferent response | You may choose whatever you prefer. |
| what ever | Interrogative word plus adverb | An emphatic or emotionally charged form of “what” | What ever could have happened? |
How to Use Whatever
Whatever is the standard choice in most sentences. As a pronoun, it refers to any thing or option: “Take whatever you need.” As a determiner, it comes before a noun: “Whatever decision you make, I will support you.” It can also introduce a dependent clause meaning “regardless of what”: “Whatever happens, stay calm.”
The word is grammatically flexible and common in both speech and writing. However, its tone depends heavily on context. In formal writing, whatever often sounds neutral when it means “regardless of what.” In conversation, a standalone “Whatever” may sound dismissive, bored, or sarcastic.
Example 1: Please select whatever option best suits your schedule.
Example 2: Whatever happens during the meeting, remain professional.
Example 3: “Do you want tea or coffee?” “Whatever is easiest for you.”
Etymology of the word whatever
Whatever developed by combining what with ever. The word what traces back to Old English hwæt, while ever comes from Old English æfre, meaning “at any time” or “always.” English began using combinations such as whatsoever and whatever to express unrestricted choice or “no matter what.”
How to Use What Ever
What ever is a valid two-word construction, but it is much less common than whatever. Use it when what is the main interrogative word and ever separately adds emphasis. The phrase often appears in dramatic, astonished, rhetorical, or impatient questions.
In ordinary questions, writers usually choose what without ever: “What did you see?” The two-word form is appropriate when the speaker wants to convey strong emotion: “What ever did you see?” In modern writing, the emphasis may also be shown with italics or punctuation, depending on the desired style.
Example 1: What ever could have caused such a sudden change?
Example 2: What ever are you talking about?
Example 3: I cannot imagine what ever possessed him to leave without warning.
Etymology of the phrase what ever
The phrase what ever consists of two independently functioning words. What comes from the Old English interrogative hwæt, and ever comes from Old English æfre. Although the words eventually combined into the common word whatever, they can remain separate when ever acts as an intensifier.
Related Concepts
Understanding compounds, interrogative words, and tone helps clarify when whatever should be written as one word and when what ever should remain separate.
- Compound words: A compound word combines two or more words into a unit with its own meaning. Whatever is a standard compound formed from what and ever.
- Interrogative words: Words such as what, who, when, and where introduce questions or dependent clauses. In what ever, what remains an independent interrogative word.
- Focusing adverbs: Words such as ever can add emphasis or emotional force. In “What ever happened?” ever strengthens the question.
- Conversational tone: A standalone “Whatever” can communicate indifference or dismissal. The intended meaning depends on context, punctuation, and the relationship between speakers.
Examples from Media and Literature
The one-word form whatever appears frequently in dialogue, informal writing, and literary narration, while the two-word form is generally reserved for deliberate emphasis.
- Young-adult fiction: A character may say, “Whatever happens, we stay together,” using whatever to mean “regardless of what happens.”
- Comedy films: A character who answers “Whatever” often expresses annoyance, indifference, or unwillingness to continue an argument.
- News reporting: Articles may use phrases such as “whatever the outcome” to describe an event without predicting its result.
- Classic literature: A dramatic speaker might ask, “What ever could he have meant?” The separated form heightens the speaker’s surprise or confusion.
- Everyday dialogue: “Choose whatever you want from the menu” uses the standard compound to describe unrestricted choice.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct expression to complete each sentence.
- You can borrow ______ book you need for the assignment. (whatever / what ever)
- ______ made her change her mind so suddenly? (Whatever / What ever)
- ______ happens, we will finish the project by Friday. (Whatever / What ever)
- ______ could he have been thinking when he agreed to that plan? (Whatever / What ever)
- She said, “______,” and ended the conversation. (whatever / what ever)
Answer Key
- whatever — It means “any book that.”
- What ever — The separate words create an emphatic question.
- Whatever — It means “regardless of what happens.”
- What ever — The phrase emphasizes the speaker’s disbelief.
- whatever — As a standalone response, it is the conventional one-word form.
Whatever Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| anything | Any object, choice, or matter without restriction |
| anything that | Any thing or matter that meets a stated condition |
| regardless of what | Without being affected by the particular result or circumstance |
| no matter what | Under any circumstances |
| it does not matter | An expression of indifference or lack of preference |
What Ever Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| what in the world | An emphatic expression of surprise or confusion |
| what on earth | A phrase that intensifies a question |
| how could | An emphatic way to question a possibility or action |
| what possibly | A formal or emphatic expression of uncertainty |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “whatever” one word or two?
Whatever is normally one word. Use it when it means “anything,” “no matter what,” or “regardless of what.”
Question 2: Is “what ever” ever correct?
Yes. What ever is correct when what and ever function separately, usually to make a question more emphatic, surprised, or emotional.
Question 3: Is “whatever” formal or informal?
Whatever is acceptable in formal and informal writing when it means “regardless of what” or “anything that.” However, using it alone as a response can sound dismissive or casual.
Conclusion
Use whatever as the default spelling for meanings such as “anything,” “no matter what,” or “regardless of what.” Use what ever only when ever separately intensifies the interrogative what, as in “What ever could she mean?” Pro Tip: Choosing the correct form in professional writing demonstrates precision and helps protect your credibility.
