whatsoever

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "whatsoever" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that no exceptions are being made or to emphasize the completeness of an action. Example sentence: I will do whatever it takes to finish this, whatsoever the cost.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm not sure I can answer that with any accuracy whatsoever.

The Guardian - Music

He told BBC1's Breakfast: "We haven't made any proposals whatsoever about changing nurses' terms and conditions... Eight days into a new government, I hope you'll forgive me if I don't negotiate on air about every single aspect of doctors' and nurses' conditions.

The Guardian

There was also the argument that 'RLJs are just PITA to petrolheads' (red-light jumpers are merely a pain in the arse to drivers), who are, after all, responsible for 3,500 deaths a year - compared with cyclists' annual tally of none whatsoever.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The government have no control whatsoever over most of this.

The Guardian

The prospect of regional pay cuts moves a step closer, with no economic justification whatsoever.

The Guardian - Opinion

I really don't care about that whatsoever.

The Guardian - Books

I did this a couple of times and found that there was no difference in the quality of the washing whatsoever".

The Guardian

The Fisa court plays no role whatsoever in reviewing whether the procedures it approved are actually complied with when the NSA starts eavesdropping on calls and reading people's emails.

The Guardian - Opinion

"What I've always found particularly attractive about the film is that it feels so solid, so perfectly crafted, yet it follows no formula whatsoever; it's so different from any Hollywood template we're used to now.

The Guardian

Which parts of the several thousand pieces of EU legislation that are currently incorporated into our own statute law would be retained?" Conservative policy on the European convention on human rights "pays no regard whatsoever to its impact on the other signatory states", Grieve said.

The Guardian

It barely has any standards or values whatsoever, but it does try to abide by the rule: don't make fun of a trained killer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whatsoever" to add emphasis when you want to express that something is completely absent or nonexistent. For instance, "There is no doubt whatsoever" is stronger than "There is no doubt".

Common error

While "whatsoever" adds emphasis, excessive use can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural. Use it sparingly to maximize its impact. Consider alternative phrasing like "at all" or "in any way" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "whatsoever" is to act as an adverbial intensifier. It emphatically negates or diminishes the preceding noun phrase, highlighting a complete absence or lack of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in emphasizing the completeness of an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Lifestyle

14%

Opinion

9%

Less common in

Sport

7%

Arts

7%

Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whatsoever" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adverbial intensifier. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to emphasize the completeness of an action. It's commonly used in neutral to formal writing, particularly in contexts like news and media, to strongly negate or diminish a statement. While alternatives like "at all" and "in any way" exist, "whatsoever" provides a more emphatic and formal tone. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid sounding stilted. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig showcase the diverse contexts in which "whatsoever" effectively conveys a sense of complete absence or nonexistence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at all

This alternative is a shorter and more common way to express the same lack of degree or extent.

in any way

This phrase emphasizes the absence of something in any possible manner or form.

to any extent

This alternative focuses on the complete absence of a measurable quantity or degree.

in the slightest

This phrase highlights the lack of even a minimal amount or degree.

whatsoever degree

This alternative emphasizes the complete absence of a specific degree.

in the least

Similar to "in the slightest", this indicates a complete absence of something.

by any means

This suggests a complete absence of effect or influence through any method.

under any circumstances

This alternative focuses on the absence of something regardless of the situation.

on any account

This emphasizes the lack of something for any reason or justification.

under no condition

This highlights the absence of something without any possibility of exception.

FAQs

How do you use "whatsoever" in a sentence?

"Whatsoever" is typically used after a noun phrase to emphasize its absence or non-existence. For example, "I have no interest whatsoever" or "There is no evidence whatsoever".

What can I say instead of "whatsoever"?

You can use alternatives like "at all", "in any way", or "in the slightest" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "no doubt whatsoever"?

Yes, "no doubt whatsoever" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that there is absolutely no doubt about something.

What's the difference between "whatever" and "whatsoever"?

"Whatever" is a pronoun or adjective indicating a lack of restriction or specificity, while "whatsoever" is an adverb used for emphasis, typically indicating a complete absence or non-existence. For example, "Do whatever you want" vs. "I have no idea whatsoever".