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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Regarding "Take whatever action is necessary."

In the sentence,
"Take whatever action is necessary."
how come two verbs could be used in one sentence without a conjunction or a relative pronoun?
What part of speech is 'whatever'?

"action is necessary" is one hunk,
"whatever action" is another hunk, a contradiction to me. Emotion: surprise

Can anybody help me?
  

Top answer

" whatever introduces a 'fused relative construction'. I think this paraphrase shows the structure better: Take any action that is necessary. Take [whatever action | is necessary].

— CalifJim

  • " whatever introduces a 'fused relative construction'.
  • I think this paraphrase shows the structure better: Take any action that is necessary.
  • Take [whatever action | is necessary].
  • ) Take [any action [that is necessary] ].
  • ) Compare: Make whatever decision is convenient.
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2 Answers
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Anonymous"Take whatever action is necessary."
whatever introduces a 'fused relative construction'. I think this paraphrase shows the structure better:

Take any action that is necessary.

Take [whatever action | is necessary]. (No 'that'.)

Take [any action [that is necessary] ]. ('that'.)

Compare:

Make
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Thank you very much. whatever = any ~ that
Now I'm clear about it.
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