whosoever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whosoever" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal or literary contexts to refer to any person or people without restriction. Example: "Whosoever wishes to join the discussion is welcome to do so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Followers of Judaism and Christianity, for example, have claimed to find justification for capital punishment in the biblical passage "Whosoever sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed" (Genesis 9 6).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many others have publicly denounced the attacks, just like all other French people - a group called the Muslim Students of France created a powerful video addressing the attacks, quoting a passage from the Quran, "Whosoever takes one life, it is as though he has killed all of humanity".

Independent

He concludes that "sexual passion, no matter how it's arranged is evil, a terrible evil against which one must struggle.… The words of the Gospel that whosoever looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery relates not only to other men's wives, but precisely — and above all — to one's own wife".

The New Yorker

1460-1535), blinded himself, by one interpretation, "to make the statement that whosoever beheld the pages of this book" — the Mongol "Book of Kings" — "even once would no longer wish to see anything else in this world" or else, by another theory, to avoid being forced to paint in an uncongenial way for the new conqueror of Herat.

The New Yorker

The code may come from chapter ten, verse thirteen of the Epistle of Paul to the Romans: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved".

The New Yorker

" 'That whosoever believeth in Jesus should not perish but have eternal life.' " Away from the cameras, he said to me, "Eternal life!

The New Yorker

"We condemn the bombing, whosoever is behind it," Mr. Yousafzai said.

The New York Times

Whosoever is the culprit will be punished by the court.

The New York Times

York, who grew up in the area, made reference to the Bible: "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life".

The Guardian

"For whosoever hath, to [her] shall be given … but whosoever hath not, from [her] shall be taken away even that [she] hath".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Or one could check out the iconic Angel of the Waters statue, which was unveiled in 1873, accompanied by this quote from the Gospel of St. John: Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called…Bethesda…whosoever then first after the troubling of the waters stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "whoever" or "anyone who" for a more modern and accessible tone in general writing.

Common error

Avoid using "whosoever" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or archaic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "whoever" or "anyone".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "whosoever" is that of a pronoun, specifically a relative pronoun that introduces a subordinate clause. It indicates an unspecified person, making the statement applicable to anyone fitting the description. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whosoever" functions as a formal pronoun meaning 'any person who' or 'everyone who'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and sees frequent use. While correct, it carries a formal or even archaic tone, making it best suited for legal, religious, or otherwise formal contexts. Simpler alternatives such as "whoever" or "anyone who" are often preferable in modern writing. Its usage spans various domains, with news and media, science and encyclopedias being the most frequent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whoever

A more common and less formal synonym.

anyone who

Replaces the formal pronoun with a more common expression.

anybody who

A more informal alternative to "whosoever".

everyone who

Emphasizes inclusivity, referring to all people meeting a certain condition.

all those who

Highlights the collective aspect, referring to multiple people.

any person who

Breaks down "whosoever" into its component parts for clarity.

each one who

Emphasizes the individual aspect, referring to people one by one.

the person who

More descriptive and less formal than "whosoever".

he who

A more archaic and gendered alternative with a similar meaning.

she who

A more archaic and gendered alternative with a similar meaning.

FAQs

What does "whosoever" mean?

"Whosoever" means whichever person; whoever. It's a formal way to say anyone who or everybody who.

When should I use "whosoever"?

Use "whosoever" in formal contexts, such as legal documents, religious texts, or when aiming for a traditional or authoritative tone. In everyday conversation, consider using "whoever" or "anyone who".

What is the difference between "whosoever" and "whoever"?

"Whosoever" and "whoever" are synonyms, but "whosoever" is more formal and less commonly used in contemporary English. "Whosoever" is often found in older texts or when a more elevated tone is desired.

Is it grammatically correct to use "whosoever" in a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "whosoever" in a sentence. However, ensure that the context is appropriate for its formal tone. For example, "Anyone who wishes to participate may do so" could be "Whosoever wishes to participate may do so".