"Whatever has made..."

Question

Whatever has made you come to somewhere like this, when you've got places like those to work in? Is it common to say 'whatever' instead of 'what' in questions like this?Thank youPBF

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

yes, it is more of a rhetorical question.

Peaceblinkfriend · Answer

I see. Thanks AlpheccaStars

PBF

Cool Breeze · Answer

PeaceblinkfriendWhatever has made you come to somewhere like this, when you've got places like those to work in?

What ever should be two words in your sentence: What ever has made you come to somewhere like this, when you've got places like those to work in? What ever means "what on earth". This is an example of whatever: Whatever you do, do it well.

CB

AlpheccaStars · Answer

CB: I disagree. There is a usage note in the American Heritage dictionary that describes the one word form "whatever" as appropriate in this context:

Usage Note: Both whatever and what ever may be used in sentences such as Whatever (or What ever) made her say that? Critics have occasionally objected to the one-word form, but many respected writers have used it. The same is true of the forms whoever, whenever, wherever, and however. In adjectival uses, however, only the one-word form is used:Take whatever (not what ever) books you need. · When a clause beginning with whatever is the subject of a sentence, no comma should be used: Whatever you do is right. In most other cases, a comma is needed: Whatever you do, don't burn the toast. · When a noun followed by a restrictive clause is preceded by whichever or whatever, it is regarded as incorrect to introduce the clause with that in formal writing: whatever book that you want to look at; one should write instead Whatever book you want to look at will be sent to your officeor Whichever book costs less (not that costs less) is fine with us.

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