What's the difference between whatever and what?

[O'Dolly]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #100 "Student Teacher Dialogue (3)", question 6

Student: That's one I never understand ......... hard I try.

(a) whenever
(b) however
(c) wherever
(d) whatever

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #100 "Student Teacher Dialogue (3)", answer 6

Student: That's one I never understand however hard I try.

Correct answer: (b) however

Your answer was: incorrect
Student: That's one I never understand whatever hard I try.
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what's the difference between whatever and what?

O'Dolly

[Conchita]

'Whatever' is a strong form of 'what'. It also means 'any ... at all':

Have there been any letters? -- None whatever.
Is there any hope whatever? -- No, nothing whatever can help him now.

[Alan]

Hi,

And then of course to make it even stronger, you can add 'so' to make whatesoever.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Yankee]

Hi y'all ;)

Just a little note about American usage:
As far as I know, the word "whatsoever" is used almost exclusively in negative (sometimes also interrogative) sentences in AmE.
"None whatsoever."

My American ear would find it quite unusual to hear whatsoever in an affirmative sentence.

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Alan]

Hi Amy,

I think we can do negative and positive in British English though it does sound a bit quirky: