For the background to my writing challenge, please read my first blog by clicking the following link – http://wp.me/p1x6Ui-4. If you would prefer to dive straight into note 37, then please read on…
The use of ‘ever’ and ‘-ever’
I’ve summarised below the interesting ways to remember when to use whoever/who ever, however/how ever and whatever /what ever, as cited in The Pocket Writer’s Handbook by Martin Mander & Stephen Curtis (Penguin Reference Library).
- Whoever = any person who
- However = in whichever way
- Whatever = no matter what
Whoever is never written as who ever when it means ‘any person who’
However is never written as how ever when it means ‘in whichever way’
Whatever is never written as what ever when it means ‘no matter what’
- Who ever = who on earth
- How ever = how on earth
- What ever = what on earth
Some examples of each:
(1a) Whoever talks during the exam will be disqualified
(Any person who talks during the exam will be disqualified)
(1b) Who ever do you think you are?
(Who on earth do you think you are?)
(2a) However I look at it, I still think you are wrong
(In whichever way I look at it, I still think you are wrong)
(2b) How ever did you manage to find me?
(How on earth did you manage to find me?)
(3a) Whatever happens I will stand by you
(No matter what happens I will stand by you)
(3b) What ever do you think you are doing?
(What on earth do you think you are doing?)
My thoughts: I won’t need to hesitate next time I write these words now. I love it when there is an easy way to remember things.
I hope you are enjoying my blogs and finding them a useful source of reference. I occasionally look back at them myself to revise what I have learnt.
Until tomorrow
Sandra
This blog: http://mywritingnotes.wordpress.com
My other blog: http://sandramadeira.wordpress.com
My website: www.tipsandluxuries.com
Twitter: @madeirasandra and @tipsandluxuries
Reference list
The Pocket Writer’s Handbook by Martin Mander & Stephen Curtis (Penguin Reference Library)
My Writing Notebook 
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