C2 Mastery Advanced clauses and reporting
Nominal relative clauses
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can use nominal relative clauses (whoever, whatever, whichever) to write concise sentences without a dummy subject.
When to use it
- Acting as the subject of the whole sentence: Whoever wins gets a medal.
- Acting as the object of a verb or preposition: Give it to whoever needs it most.
- Choosing the right word by scope: whichever for a limited set of choices, whatever for no limit.
- Making sentences shorter than 'any person who' or 'anything that'.
Form
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| whoever | Whoever arrives first can choose. |
| whatever | Take whatever you like. |
| whichever | Whichever route you take... |
Step by step
- Identify the role of the nominal relative clause in the sentence: subject, object or complement.
- Choose the right word: a person → whoever; an unlimited thing → whatever; one of a limited set → whichever.
- Don't repeat the subject/object with another pronoun afterwards (it already is a complete noun phrase).
- Distinguish from however + adjective/adverb (concession) — whatever/whoever/whichever are always noun phrases.
Whatever or Whichever?
| Sentence | Correct word | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Take ___ seat you like. (many free seats, no limit) | whatever | no specific limited set |
| ___ of the two routes you take, it takes an hour. (only 2 choices) | Whichever | a limited set, clearly stated (of the two) |
Examples
Whoever finds my wallet will get a reward.
You can order whatever you want from the menu.
Whichever of the two designs you choose, we'll start production immediately.
What she said surprised everyone.
Common mistakes
Whoever wins the race, he will get a medal. → Whoever wins the race will get a medal.
'Whoever wins the race' is already the full subject — don't repeat it with 'he'.
Whatever you choose it will be fine with me. → Whatever you choose will be fine with me.
Similarly — don't add 'it' after a nominal relative clause that already functions as the subject.
Take whichever you like from the buffet. → Take whatever you like from the buffet.
A buffet usually has many unspecified dishes → there is no clearly limited set → use whatever, not whichever.
Memory tip
Remember: whichever always carries the sense of 'a few specific options' (often with 'of the two/three...'); if there's no clear limit, use whatever.
Summary
- whoever = any person; whatever = anything (unlimited); whichever = one of a limited set.
- A nominal relative clause can be the subject, object or complement of the whole sentence.
- Don't repeat the subject/object with another pronoun after this clause.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.