Whichever vs Whatever: Which Should You Use In Writing?

Have you ever found yourself confused about whether to use whichever or whatever in a sentence? This common grammar dilemma can be easily resolved with a quick understanding of the difference between the two words.

Let’s clarify which of the two is the proper word to use. The answer is that both whichever and whatever are correct, depending on the context of the sentence.

Now, what do these words actually mean? Whichever is used when there are multiple options available and the speaker or writer is selecting one. For example, “Choose whichever flavor of ice cream you prefer.” Whatever, on the other hand, is used when there are no specific options or when the speaker or writer is indicating that they don’t care about the options available. For example, “I’ll eat whatever you make for dinner.”

With these definitions in mind, you can confidently use whichever or whatever in your writing and speech. In this article, we’ll take a deeper dive into the nuances of these two words and explore their usage in various contexts.

Define Whichever

Whichever is a pronoun that is used to indicate a choice between two or more options. It is often used to express indifference or to leave the decision up to the listener or reader. The word whichever is often used in conjunction with the word “of” to indicate the available options.

For example: “You can choose whichever of these three options suits you best.”

Whichever is also used as an adjective to describe a noun that is selected out of a group of options. It is often used to express a lack of preference or to indicate that any option would be acceptable.

For example: “You can take whichever book you like from the shelf.”

Define Whatever

Whatever is a pronoun that is used to indicate a lack of preference or to express indifference towards a choice or outcome. It is often used to indicate that any option or outcome would be acceptable.

For example: “I don’t care what we do tonight, we can do whatever you want.”

Whatever is also used as an adjective to describe a noun that is unknown or unspecified. It is often used to indicate that the specific details are unimportant or irrelevant.

For example: “Whatever food you bring to the party is fine.”

Overall, whichever and whatever are both pronouns that are used to indicate a lack of preference or to express indifference towards a choice or outcome. However, whichever is often used when there are specific options to choose from, while whatever is used when the options are unknown or unimportant.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct word in a sentence is crucial to convey the intended meaning accurately. The words whichever and whatever are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and are used in different contexts. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use whichever and whatever in a sentence.

How To Use Whichever In A Sentence

The word whichever is used to refer to any one of a limited number of things or options. It is often used when there are two or more options, and the speaker does not have a preference for any of them. Whichever is commonly used in questions, conditional statements, and subordinate clauses.

Here are some examples of how to use whichever in a sentence:

• Whichever route you take, you will still arrive at the same destination.
• You can choose whichever color you prefer for the car.
• Whichever team scores the most points will win the game.

Note that whichever is often followed by a noun or pronoun, and it is used to refer to a limited number of options.

How To Use Whatever In A Sentence

The word whatever is used to refer to anything or everything without limit or restriction. It is often used to express indifference or to indicate that the speaker does not care about the specific details. Whatever is commonly used in questions, statements, and commands.

Here are some examples of how to use whatever in a sentence:

• Whatever you decide to do, I will support you.
• You can wear whatever you want to the party.
• Whatever happens, we will deal with it together.

Note that whatever is often followed by a verb, and it is used to refer to anything or everything without restriction.

More Examples Of Whichever & Whatever Used In Sentences

In this section, we will explore more examples of how to use whichever and whatever in a sentence. These examples will provide a better understanding of the correct usage of these two words.

Examples Of Using Whichever In A Sentence

• You can choose whichever book you like from the library.
• Whichever team wins the game will advance to the finals.
• Whichever route you take, you will reach the destination in two hours.
• You can wear whichever dress you want to the party.
• Whichever movie you choose, I am sure we will enjoy it.
• Whichever restaurant you pick, I am happy to go there.
• You can use whichever pen you want to sign the document.
• Whichever language you learn, it will benefit you in the future.
• You can select whichever color you like for your car.
• Whichever hotel you stay in, make sure to check the reviews first.

Examples Of Using Whatever In A Sentence

• You can do whatever you want on your day off.
• Whatever happens, we will face it together.
• You can eat whatever you like at the buffet.
• Whatever decision you make, I will support you.
• Whatever time you arrive, we will be ready for you.
• You can wear whatever outfit you feel comfortable in.
• Whatever the weather, we will go for a walk every day.
• You can listen to whatever music you prefer in the car.
• Whatever the outcome, we will learn from this experience.
• You can choose whatever career path you want to pursue.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words whichever and whatever, many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, this can lead to some common mistakes that can be easily avoided with a little bit of knowledge and practice.

Using Whichever Instead Of Whatever

One of the most common mistakes people make is using whichever instead of whatever. While these two words may seem interchangeable, they actually have different meanings and uses.

• Whichever is used to refer to a choice between a limited number of options. For example: “You can choose whichever flavor you like.”
• Whatever is used to refer to anything or everything. For example: “Whatever you do, don’t give up.”

Using whichever instead of whatever can make your sentence sound awkward or even incorrect. So, make sure to choose the right word depending on the context.

Using Whatever As A Filler Word

Another common mistake is using whatever as a filler word, especially in informal conversations. While this may seem harmless, it can actually make you sound unprofessional or even rude.

Using whatever as a filler word can also make your message unclear or confusing. So, try to avoid using it unless it is necessary or appropriate.

Tips To Avoid Making These Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes, here are some tips you can follow:

• Always double-check the meaning and usage of whichever and whatever before using them in your writing or speech.
• Use whichever only when referring to a limited number of options, and use whatever when referring to anything or everything.
• Avoid using whatever as a filler word, and instead, use more specific and appropriate words to convey your message.

By following these tips, you can improve your communication skills and avoid common mistakes when using whichever and whatever.

Context Matters

Choosing between whichever and whatever can depend on the context in which they are used. Both words are used to refer to any of a group of things or options, but the difference lies in their usage and connotation.

Examples Of Different Contexts And How The Choice Between Whichever And Whatever Might Change:

Context	Usage of Whichever	Usage of Whatever
Offering a Choice	“You can choose whichever book you like.”	“You can choose whatever book you like.”
Limiting Options	“Choose one of the three options, whichever you prefer.”	“Choose one of the three options, whatever you like.”
Indicating Preference	“Whichever dessert you choose, make sure to try the chocolate cake.”	“Whatever dessert you choose, make sure to try the chocolate cake.”

In the first example, both whichever and whatever can be used interchangeably as they are offering a choice without any limitations. However, in the second example, whichever is used to limit the options to only the items in the group, while whatever is used to indicate that any option outside the group is acceptable. In the third example, whichever is used to indicate a preference for the options in the group, while whatever is used to indicate that any option is acceptable.

Therefore, it is important to consider the context in which whichever or whatever is being used to ensure that the correct word is chosen to convey the intended meaning.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using whichever and whatever are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind. In certain contexts, one word may be more appropriate than the other.

1. Emphasis

In some cases, whichever and whatever can be used interchangeably, but the emphasis may differ. Whatever is often used to emphasize the lack of preference or the unlimited number of options available. Whichever, on the other hand, is used to emphasize the selection of one option from a limited set of choices.

For example:

• Whatever you do, don’t press that button. (implies no preference)
• Choose whichever color you like best. (implies limited choices)

2. Colloquial Speech

In colloquial speech, the rules for using whichever and whatever may not always be followed. In some cases, whichever may be used in place of whatever for the sake of simplicity or ease of use.

For example:

• Whatever you say goes. (correct usage)
• Whichever you say goes. (colloquial usage)

3. Idiomatic Expressions

Both whichever and whatever are used in a number of idiomatic expressions that may not follow the standard rules for usage. In these cases, the meaning of the phrase may not be directly related to the meaning of the individual words.

For example:

• Whatever floats your boat. (means “do what makes you happy”)
• Whichever way the wind blows. (means “depending on the circumstances”)

It’s important to note that while these exceptions do exist, they are relatively rare. In most cases, the rules for using whichever and whatever are straightforward and easy to follow.

Practice Exercises

Now that we’ve covered the differences between whichever and whatever, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (whichever or whatever) to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

1. ______ you decide, I’ll support you.
2. ______ book you choose is fine with me.
3. You can have ______ dessert you want.
4. ______ way you look at it, the situation is still the same.
5. I’ll take ______ seat is available.

Answer Key:

1. Whichever
2. Whatever
3. Whatever
4. Whichever
5. Whatever

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite the following sentences using whichever or whatever:

1. I’ll eat any food you give me.
2. Choose any color you want.
3. I’ll take any job I can get.
4. Read any book you like.
5. Go to any restaurant you prefer.

Answer Key:

1. I’ll eat whichever food you give me.
2. Choose whatever color you want.
3. I’ll take whatever job I can get.
4. Read whichever book you like.
5. Go to whatever restaurant you prefer.

By completing these exercises, you’ll gain a better understanding of how to use whichever and whatever correctly in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between whichever and whatever, it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. Whichever is used when there are a limited number of options to choose from, while whatever is used when there are no limits or restrictions on the options available.

It is important to understand the distinction between these two words to avoid miscommunication and ensure clarity in your writing. By using whichever and whatever correctly, you can convey your intended meaning accurately and effectively.

As with any aspect of language use, there is always more to learn. Grammar and language use are complex topics that require ongoing study and practice. By continuing to improve your understanding of these subjects, you can become a more effective communicator and writer.