whoever
Definition
- Pronoun:
- Any person who: "whoever" refers to any person that, regardless of identity.
- The person who: "whoever" can specify a particular but unknown individual.
- No matter who: "whoever" is used to emphasize that the identity does not matter.
Usage Examples
- (Any person who arrives first.)
- (The person who answers the door, whoever that may be.)
- (No matter who you are.)
Advanced Usage
- "whoever" as a relative pronoun in formal contexts: It functions as the subject of a clause, often replacing "anyone who."
- Whoever broke the window must pay for it. (Any person who broke the window.)
- "whoever" in concessive clauses: Emphasizing that the identity is irrelevant.
- Whoever said that is mistaken. (No matter who said it, they are wrong.)
Variants and Related Words
- Whomever (pronoun): the objective case of "whoever," used as an object.
- Invite whomever you like. (Any person you like, as an object.)
- Whosoever (pronoun): an archaic or formal variant of "whoever."
- Whosoever believes in this will be saved. (Any person who believes.)
Synonyms
- Anyone who: any person that.
- Anybody who: same as "anyone who," but slightly more informal.
- No matter who: used to express that the identity is unimportant.
Related Idioms
- Whoever heard of such a thing?: an expression of disbelief or surprise.
- Whoever heard of a cat that can swim? (It is surprising to hear of such a thing.)
- Whoever can that be?: a rhetorical question expressing curiosity about an unknown person.
- Whoever can that be knocking at this hour? (I wonder who it is.)