whoever有两个用法:
1)作连接代词,引导名词性从句,解释为“任何一个。。。的人”,=anyone who,类似于一个定语从句(先行词 + 指人的关系代词),没有疑问的语气意味。
2)作从属连词,引导让步状语从句,意思是“无论/不管是谁。。。”,=no matter who。
而who有三个主要的用法:
1)作连接代词,引导名词性从句,意为“谁”,含有疑问的语气。
2)作疑问代词,引导特殊疑问句,意思同上。
3)作关系代词,引导定语从句。
两个词的用法在上述各自第一个用法上有交集,但是存在区别,原理前面已经说到了,这里再举个例句。
Who will win the first prize has been decided/is still a mystery.
Whoever wins the first prize will have the chance to travel around the world.
who 和whoever都可以引导主语从句,只能置于句首,不能用形式主语it代替。
“疑问代词 + ever ”可引导两种类型的从句,即让步状语从句和名词性从句(主语从句、宾语从句)。
( 1 )引导让步状语从句。此时 whatever / whoever / whichever 分别等于“ no matter + what / who / which ”。
例如:
Whatever happened, he wouldn't say a word. = No matter what happened, he wouldn't say a word.
注意:这类从句中应用一般现在时表将来,从句中也常用情态动词 may / might .
( 2 )引导名词性从句。例如:
Whoever smokes here will be punished. (主语从句)
Beggars will eat whatever they are given. (宾语从句)
Whichever he likes will be given to him. (主语从句)
此时它们都不能换成“ no matter + 疑问词”的形式,但 whoever 等于 anyone who, whatever 等于 anything that.
2. “疑问副词 +ever ”: wherever / whenever / however 一般只能引导一种类型的从句,即让步状语从句,此时它们分别等于“ no matter + where / when / how ”。
who 和whoever都可以引导主语从句,只能置于句首,不能用形式主语it代替。它们也都有“谁”的含义, 但能否互相替代呢?请观察下列句子并选择正确选项:
(A) ________ leaves the room last ought to turn off the light.
A. Anyone B. Who C. Whoever D. No matter who
(B) ________ will give us a talk is unknown to us all.
A. Whoever B. Who C. Anyone D. No matter who
句(A) 的正确选项为C。whoever 的含义是:the person who... 或anyone who... [无论(不管)是谁],前者特指,后者泛指。句(A)的意思是:无论谁最后离开房间都应该关灯。又如:
Whoever (Anyone who) breaks the law should be punished. 不管谁违法都应该受到惩罚。
Whoever (The person who) told you it was lying.无论谁告诉你的都是说谎。
句(B)的正确选项为B。who虽然也可以引导主语从句,但它常保留本身疑问的含义,即“谁”。句(B)的意思为:对我们大家来说,谁给我们讲话还不知道。又如:
Who will go with us has not yet been decided. 谁和我们一起去还没决定。
Who will be sent abroad is unknown.还不知道谁将被派往国外。
连接代词who和whoever