whatever it is

USAGE SUMMARY

"whatever it is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that is unknown to the speaker or reader. For example, "I don't know what he wants, but I'm sure he'll be happy with whatever it is."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And he has "it," whatever "it" is.

The New York Times

Whatever "it" is, turn it up.

WikiHow

Whatever it is, appreciate its nuances slowly.

WikiHow

Or whatever it is.

The New York Times

Whatever it is — grain?

The New York Times

Whatever it is, stop".

The New Yorker

whatever it is,.

Yale University

Whatever it is, it is.

The New York Times - Sports

Whatever it is, it works.

The New York Times

With whatever it is.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This season, Eskimos, or whatever it is.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whatever it is" to acknowledge uncertainty or lack of specific knowledge about something. It works well when you want to avoid being overly specific or when the details are not essential to the main point.

Common error

Avoid using "whatever it is" excessively in formal writing. In such settings, consider more precise language to demonstrate clarity and attention to detail. For example, replace it with "regardless of the specific details" or "irrespective of the precise nature".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whatever it is" functions as a determiner phrase, indicating an unspecified item or situation. It serves to acknowledge a lack of specific knowledge or to convey that the details are not essential. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is perfectly valid.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whatever it is" is a versatile phrase used to denote an unspecified or unknown entity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it's very common across various contexts like news, media, and informal communications, more formal settings may benefit from more precise language. Remember to use it when the specific details are unimportant or unknown, but be cautious of overuse in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "regardless of the specifics" or "irrespective of the matter" to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whatever that might be

Adds a slight emphasis on the uncertainty or unknown nature of the item.

that thing, whatever it may be

Emphasizes the unknown nature of the 'thing' being referred to with a more verbose construction.

no matter what it may be

Replaces the casual "whatever" with a more formal "no matter what" while retaining the uncertainty.

regardless of the specifics

Highlights the lack of importance of specific details.

irrespective of the matter

Uses a more formal tone to convey that the particular matter is not important.

anything that exists

Focuses on the existence of something unspecified, rather than its specific nature.

it doesn't matter what

Focuses on the lack of importance of identifying the specific item or situation.

something or other

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate something unspecified.

I don't know what

Expresses a lack of knowledge about what is being referred to, implying the same meaning.

anything at all

Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of what is being considered.

FAQs

How can I use "whatever it is" in a sentence?

You can use "whatever it is" to refer to something unspecified or unknown, such as in the sentence, "I don't know what he wants, but I'm sure he'll be happy with "whatever it is"".

What's a more formal alternative to "whatever it is"?

For more formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "regardless of the specifics" or "irrespective of the matter" instead of "whatever it is".

Is "whatever it is" grammatically correct?

Yes, "whatever it is" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English to refer to something that is not specifically known or defined.

When is it appropriate to use "whatever that might be" instead of "whatever it is"?

You can use "whatever that might be" to add a slight emphasis on the uncertainty or unknown nature of the item being discussed, while "whatever it is" is a more general expression.