Concessive Clauses with ‘-ever’ Words
Move beyond simple question words and master the use of whatever, whenever, however, etc., to express complex ideas like indifference, concession, and emphasis.
⏰ When do we use ‘-ever’ Words?
These words (also known as compound indefinite pronouns/adverbs) are used to make generalizations. They indicate that the specific details are not important, because the outcome or main idea remains the same.
- To Express “No Matter What/Who/When” (Concession): This is their most powerful function. They introduce a condition, and the main clause states a result that is true regardless of that condition.
- Whatever the critics say, I still think it’s a brilliant film. (It doesn’t matter what they say).
- However tired she was, she always made time to read to her children. (It didn’t matter how tired she was).
- To Grant Unconditional Permission or Freedom: They are used to show that all options are open and acceptable.
- You can invite whomever you like to the party.
- Sleep wherever you want; there are plenty of free rooms.
- To Refer to an Unknown or Unspecified Detail: Use these when the identity of a person or thing is unknown or irrelevant.
- Whoever left this umbrella here needs to come and get it.
- I’ll be happy with whatever is for dinner tonight.
- To Add Emphasis in Informal Questions: In speech,
-evercan be added to a question word to show surprise, disbelief, or frustration.- Whatever are you doing?
- However did you manage to get here so quickly?
📌 Structure & Function
These words introduce subordinate clauses and can function as different parts of speech.
Whatever/Whichever(Pronouns or Determiners)- As a pronoun: Whatever happens, we will face it together.
- As a determiner: Whichever route you take, you’ll get there eventually.
Whoever/Whomever(Pronouns)- As a subject: Whoever finishes first wins the prize.
- As an object (formal): He offered the job to whomever he interviewed. (In informal English,
whoeveris often used here too).
Whenever/Wherever(Adverbs)Wheneverintroduces a clause of time: We can start whenever you’re ready.Whereverintroduces a clause of place: She’s followed by reporters wherever she goes.
However(Adverb)Howeveris used with an adjective or adverb: However fast you run, you won’t catch him.
📝 Notes
The clauses introduced by -ever words are called concessive clauses. They concede a point (e.g., “you might try hard”) but the main clause states an overriding fact (e.g., “you still might not succeed”).
However vs. However: Be careful not to confuse however in a concessive clause with the conjunctive adverb however (meaning ‘but’).
- Concessive: However tired I am, I always sleep badly.
- Conjunctive Adverb: I am tired. However, I always sleep badly.
Whyever: This is extremely rare. It’s occasionally used in British English to express strong surprise or indignation.
- Whyever would you say something so rude?
💬 Examples
Whatever & Whichever
- Please take whatever you need from the fridge.
- Whatever his reasons, the decision has been made.
- We have three cars available. You can borrow whichever one you want.
Whoever & Whenever
- The company will hire whoever is best for the job.
- Feel free to call me whenever you have a question.
- Whoever told you that was misinformed.
Wherever & However
- In the modern world, you can find a coffee shop wherever you go.
- However much money he has, it doesn’t make him happy.
- However you look at it, this is a serious problem.
Ready to add nuance and flexibility to your English sentences?
Mastering concessive clauses with ‘-ever’ words is a fantastic step to expressing ideas like “no matter who,” “no matter what,” or “no matter when.” It’s a key way to show that a certain outcome won’t change, regardless of the circumstance.
Do you want to practice using these advanced clauses to make your English more sophisticated and precise? My online English classes offer fun, interactive ways to master concessive clauses and all other essential grammar points. You’ll get plenty of chances to speak and build your confidence.
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