Whatever vs. Whichever

Attribute	Whatever	Whichever
Definition	Any one or any amount	Any one out of a group
Usage	Used when the specific choice doesn't matter	Used when a specific choice needs to be made
Examples	Whatever you want to do is fine with me.	Choose whichever book you like from the shelf.

Definition

Whatever and whichever are both pronouns that are used to refer to an unspecified thing or things. However, they are used in slightly different contexts. Whatever is used when the specific thing is not important or when the speaker does not care about the options available. Whichever, on the other hand, is used when the speaker is referring to a specific thing out of a limited number of options.

Usage

Whatever is often used in a more casual or informal context. It is commonly used to express indifference or lack of preference. For example, "I'll eat whatever you make for dinner." Whichever, on the other hand, is used when the speaker wants to make a specific choice out of a set of options. For example, "You can choose whichever book you want to read."

Flexibility

Whatever is more flexible in its usage compared to whichever. It can be used in a wide range of situations to refer to any thing or things without specifying a particular one. Whichever, on the other hand, is more specific and is used when the speaker wants to choose one out of a limited number of options.

Clarity

While both whatever and whichever can be used to refer to an unspecified thing, whichever is often considered to be clearer in its meaning. When using whichever, it is clear that the speaker is referring to a specific choice out of a set of options. Whatever, on the other hand, can sometimes be vague and may not convey a specific choice or preference.

Formality

Whatever is generally considered to be more informal in its usage compared to whichever. Whatever is often used in casual conversations or when the speaker is not concerned about being precise in their language. Whichever, on the other hand, is more formal and is often used in situations where the speaker wants to make a specific choice out of a set of options.

Examples

• Whatever you decide to do, I'll support you.
• Whichever route you take, make sure to drive safely.
• She can wear whatever dress she likes to the party.
• Choose whichever color you prefer for the walls.