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Whenever, wherever, whatever, or whichever
Whenever is any time, wherever is any place, whatever is anything at all, and whichever is any one from a limited set.
Quick rule
Pick by what you mean: time is whenever, place is wherever, anything at all is whatever, and one choice among a few is whichever.
At any time that, or every time that: you can ask whenever you need it, whenever it rains.
In any place, or in all places where something happens: sit wherever you like, wherever she goes.
Anything at all, or it does not matter what: do whatever you like. Alone, it can mean you do not care.
Any one from a limited set: whichever day is best for you, whichever of these you like.
How to choose
| Question | whenever | wherever | whatever | whichever |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is it about a time (Call me ___ you need help)? | Yes | No | No | No |
| Is it about a place (Sit ___ you like)? | No | Yes | No | No |
| Does it choose from a set you already know (___ of these you like)? | No | No | No | Yes |
| Can it stand for the thing, with no noun (Do ___ you like)? | No | No | Yes | SometimesSometimes |
Why it trips people up
Each word is a question word plus -ever, so it means "it does not matter" when, where, what, or which. Writers mix them up because whatever and whichever both stand for a thing, and the difference is whether the choice comes from a limited set.
How each one works
Whenever
At any time
Come over whenever you like.
Every time that
Whenever it rains, the street floods.
Each time something happens
Whenever I smell fresh bread, I think of my grandmother.
Wherever
In any place
Sit wherever you want.
In every place where
Wherever we travel, we try the local food.
It does not matter where
Text me when you land, wherever you are.
Whatever
It does not matter what
Whatever happens, we stay together.
Anything at all
You can order whatever you want.
As a reply: I do not mind
"Where should we eat?" "Whatever. I am fine with anything."
Whichever
One of those available
Take whichever seat is free.
It does not matter which
Whichever bus comes first, get on it.
Between two options
Pay by card or cash, whichever is easier.
What comes next
whenever plus clause
Whenever she calls, we talk for hours.
wherever plus clause
Wherever you park, check the street signs.
whatever plus clause
Whatever you cook, I will eat it.
whatever plus noun
Use whatever tools you have at home.
whichever plus noun
Pick whichever color you prefer.
whichever of plus the or these plus plural noun
Pick whichever of your shirts is cleanest.
Set phrases
Whenever
- or whenever
- or at some other time that is not important
Wherever
- wherever possible
- in all cases where it can be done
Whatever
- or whatever
- or something of a similar type
- Yeah, whatever.
- a reply that shows you do not care
Whichever
- whichever is the higher
- the larger of two amounts, whichever it turns out to be
Almost the same
Choose whatever you like from the menu.
Anything at all, with no limit.
Choose whichever dessert you like, the flan or the cake.
One from two.
Whenever it snows, school closes.
It is about a time.
Wherever it snows, school closes.
It is about a place.
In a conversation
- A:
Where should we sit?
- B:
Wherever you like. Whichever table is free is fine with me.
- A:
And what should I order?
- B:
Whatever looks good! Tell the waiter whenever you are ready.
Common mistakes
Wrong: Call me when ever you are ready.
Right: Call me whenever you are ready.
Splitting whenever into two words is a common typing slip. It is one word, like wherever and whatever.
Wrong: Whichever do you like better, the green shirt or the gray one?
Right: Which do you like better, the green shirt or the gray one?
The -ever words introduce a clause. To ask a question, use which. (Whatever do you mean? is the exception, for surprise.)
Memory trick
Swap -ever for "it does not matter": when (whenever), where (wherever), what (whatever), which (whichever). Whichever needs a set you already know, like two buses or three chairs.
It depends
- Whatever as a reply
- On its own, Whatever. can mean "I do not mind", but it can also sound dismissive, depending on tone. Oxford labels it informal.
- Or whatever, or wherever, or whenever
- At the end of a sentence they add "or something similar", as in pizza or whatever. This is casual speech.
FAQ
What is the difference between whichever and whatever?
Whichever means any one from a limited set (whichever of these). Whatever means anything at all, with no set.
What is the difference between whenever and wherever?
Whenever is about time (any time, every time). Wherever is about place (any place, every place where).
Can whatever be used on its own?
Yes, as a casual reply meaning "I do not mind". It can also sound uninterested, so tone matters.