What's the difference between whatever and what?

O'Dolly · Mon Oct 16, 2006 14:03 pm *What's the difference between whatever and what?*

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 · Mon Oct 16, 2006 14:31 pm *What vs. whatever*

'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 · Mon Oct 16, 2006 15:01 pm *Whatever*

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 A day in the life of a driving instructor

Yankee · Mon Oct 16, 2006 15:12 pm *What's the difference between whatever and what?*

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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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

Alan · Mon Oct 16, 2006 15:19 pm *Whatsoever*

Hi Amy,

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

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