whenever

whenever
when|ev|er [ wen`evər, hwen`evər ] function word **
Whenever can be used in the following ways:
as a conjunction (connecting two clauses or phrases):
Whenever I smiled, he smiled back.
as an adverb:
You can come whenever. (introducing a question):
Whenever have I been cruel to you?
1. ) every time that something happens:
Whenever I hear that song, I think of you.
He felt the pain in his knee whenever he kicked a ball.
a ) at any time or in any situation when something may be wanted, needed, possible, etc.:
You can come and stay with us whenever you want.
or whenever (=or any other time that is possible): Give me a call Saturday afternoon, or whenever.
whenever possible/necessary: Use fresh vegetables whenever possible.
2. ) SPOKEN used for saying that you do not care when something happens, because all times are equally convenient:
When should we meet? Thursday night? Friday? Whenever. I don't care.
3. ) used for showing that you do not know when something happened or will happen:
We'll have to wait until the next committee meeting, whenever that is.
4. ) SPOKEN used for emphasizing when in a question to show that you are surprised, upset, or annoyed:
Whenever will I make you understand that smoking is bad for you?

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?
Synonyms:
,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • whenever — whenever, when ever Whenever is written as one word when it is a conjunction • (Whenever possible he liked to make a point of talking to drug users on their own ground Times, 1970) or a quasi adverb used informally (I ll do it at the weekend or… …   Modern English usage

  • whenever — [when΄e er′hwen ev′ər, wenev′ər] adv. Informal when: an emphatic form expressing bewilderment, impatience, etc. [whenever will he learn?] conj. 1. at whatever time [leave whenever you re ready] 2. on whatever occasion [visit us whenever you can] …   English World dictionary

  • Whenever — When*ev er, adv. & conj. At whatever time. Whenever that shall be. Milton. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Whenever — Single par The Black Eyed Peas extrait de l’album The Beginning Sortie juillet 2011 Enregistrement 2010 Durée 3:15 Genre Electro House Progr …   Wikipédia en Français

  • whenever — adverb at whatever time, at which time, no matter when, once, when Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • whenever — late 14c., from WHEN (Cf. when) + EVER (Cf. ever) …   Etymology dictionary

  • whenever — ► CONJUNCTION 1) at whatever time; on whatever occasion. 2) every time that. ► ADVERB ▪ used for emphasis instead of ‘when’ in questions …   English terms dictionary

  • whenever */*/ — UK [wenˈevə(r)] / US [wenˈevər] / US [hwenˈevər] adverb, conjunction Summary: Whenever can be used in the following ways: as a conjunction (connecting two clauses or phrases): Whenever I smiled, he smiled back. as an adverb: You can come whenever …   English dictionary

  • whenever — [[t](h)wene̱və(r)[/t]] ♦♦♦ 1) CONJ SUBORD You use whenever to refer to any time or every time that something happens or is true. She always called at the vicarage whenever she was in the area... You can have my cottage whenever you like... I… …   English dictionary

  • whenever — when|ev|er W3S2 [wenˈevə US ˈevər] adv, conj 1.) every time that a particular thing happens ▪ Larry always blames me whenever anything goes wrong. ▪ Whenever I hear that tune, it makes me think of you. 2.) at any time ▪ You can come and visit me… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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