Whatsoever vs. What So Ever – Which is Correct?
Whatsoever is the correct standard spelling when you mean “at all” or “of any kind.” It usually follows a noun or pronoun, as in “no evidence whatsoever.” “What so ever” is generally a spacing error, not an accepted alternative in contemporary standard English. Use whatsoever in formal and everyday writing.
Whatsoever or What So Ever – Which is Correct?
Whatsoever is the correct standard spelling when it means “at all,” “in any way,” or “of any kind.” It is usually used for emphasis after a negative word, such as no, nothing, none, or never.
What so ever is generally incorrect when used with this meaning. Writers often separate the words because the phrase sounds as though it contains three individual words. In modern standard English, however, the emphatic expression is written as one word: whatsoever.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the “at all” swap test. If you can replace the expression with “at all” or “of any kind,” write whatsoever as one word. For example, “I have no doubt whatsoever” means “I have no doubt at all.” The single-word spelling is also the safest choice in professional writing.
The same attention to context applies to other easily confused terms, including When vs. Whenever.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| whatsoever | Adverb or emphatic modifier | At all; of any kind; in any way | “There was no damage whatsoever.” |
| what so ever | Nonstandard spacing | Usually an incorrect version of whatsoever | “There was no damage what so ever.” |
How to Use Whatsoever
Whatsoever adds emphasis to a statement. It most commonly appears after a negative noun phrase or pronoun, including no reason whatsoever, nothing whatsoever, no interest whatsoever, and none whatsoever.
The word is grammatically acceptable in both formal and casual English, although it can sound emphatic, legalistic, or slightly forceful in some contexts. It is especially common in formal documents, journalism, debates, and carefully worded explanations.
Example 1: The investigation found no evidence whatsoever of misconduct.
Example 2: She showed no interest whatsoever in changing her decision.
Example 3: “Would you like more coffee?” “No, thank you—none whatsoever.”
Etymology of the Word Whatsoever
Whatsoever developed from the combination of what and soever. The element soever comes from the older expression so ever, meaning “in whatever manner” or “at all.” Over time, the expression became established as a single compound word. It has been used in English for centuries, particularly in formal, religious, and legal writing.
Related Concepts
Understanding compound words and emphatic adverbs makes the difference between whatsoever and what so ever easier to remember.
- Compound words: A compound word combines two or more elements into one established word. Whatsoever is written as a single compound form in standard English.
- Emphatic adverbs: An emphatic adverb strengthens or intensifies another word or phrase. In “no concern whatsoever,” whatsoever emphasizes the complete absence of concern.
- Negative constructions: Whatsoever frequently appears with negative words such as no, nothing, none, and never.
- Fixed expressions: Some word combinations have conventional spellings that cannot be changed simply because their parts have separate meanings. Whatsoever is one such established form.
Examples from Media and Literature
The following examples illustrate how whatsoever appears in established literary, religious, journalistic, and public-language contexts:
- The King James Bible: In Matthew 5:37, the phrase “whatsoever is more than these” uses the single-word spelling in a formal religious context.
- Legal writing: Contracts and court documents commonly use phrases such as “no liability whatsoever” to emphasize that liability is completely absent.
- News reporting: Investigative articles often describe a lack of proof with wording such as “no evidence whatsoever was found.”
- Political commentary: Public debates may include statements such as “That claim has no basis whatsoever,” using the word for strong emphasis.
- Everyday dialogue in film and television: A character might say, “I have no idea whatsoever,” to stress complete uncertainty.
What Is the Difference Between Whatsoever and What So Ever?
The difference is primarily spelling and standard usage. Whatsoever is the accepted single-word form. What so ever is usually a misspelling created by separating the components of a compound expression.
Although what, so, and ever can appear as separate words in other grammatical constructions, they should not be separated when they express the established meaning “at all” or “of any kind.”
Common Mistakes with Whatsoever
- Incorrect: I have no patience what so ever.
- Correct: I have no patience whatsoever.
- Incorrect: There was nothing what so ever in the box.
- Correct: There was nothing whatsoever in the box.
- Incorrect: The decision had no effect what so ever on the schedule.
- Correct: The decision had no effect whatsoever on the schedule.
Whatsoever Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| at all | To any extent or degree, especially in a negative statement |
| in any way | By any method or to any degree |
| of any kind | Of any type or category |
| in the least | Even to the smallest degree |
| completely | Entirely or fully, when the context calls for stronger emphasis |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “whatsoever” one word?
Yes. Whatsoever is normally written as one word when it means “at all,” “in any way,” or “of any kind.”
Question 2: Is “what so ever” ever correct?
In contemporary standard English, what so ever is generally not correct when used as the emphatic expression. Use whatsoever instead.
Question 3: What part of speech is “whatsoever”?
Whatsoever is generally classified as an adverb or an emphatic modifier. It modifies or strengthens a nearby word or phrase, as in “no explanation whatsoever.”
Question 4: Does “whatsoever” always follow a negative expression?
It most commonly follows a negative expression, but it can also appear in formal constructions meaning “whatever” or “of any kind,” such as “any condition whatsoever.”
Conclusion
Whatsoever is the correct spelling for the meaning “at all,” “in any way,” or “of any kind.” The spaced form what so ever is generally a spelling error in this context. Remember the “at all” swap test, and write the expression as one word. Pro Tip: Using the standard spelling in professional communication demonstrates accuracy and protects your credibility.
