Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
You use ~ to refer to anything or everything of a particular type.
Franklin was free to do pretty much ~ he pleased...
When you’re older I think you’re better equipped mentally to cope with ~ happens...
He’s good at ~ he does.
CONJ
•
Whatever is also a determiner.
Whatever doubts he might have had about Ingrid were all over now.
= any
DET
2.
You use ~ to say that something is the case in all circumstances.
We shall love you ~ happens, Diana...
People will judge you ~ you do...
She runs about 15 miles a day every day, ~ the weather.
CONJ
3.
You use ~ after a noun group in order to emphasize a negative statement.
There is no evidence ~ that competition in broadcasting has ever reduced costs...
I have nothing ~ to say.
= whatsoever
ADV: with brd-neg, n ADV emphasis
4.
You use ~ to ask in an emphatic way about something which you are very surprised about.
Whatever can you mean?...
= what
QUEST emphasis
5.
You use ~ when you are indicating that you do not know the precise identity, meaning, or value of the thing just mentioned.
I thought that my upbringing was ‘normal’, ~ that is...
CONJ vagueness
6.
You say or ~ to refer generally to something else of the same kind as the thing or things that you have just mentioned. (INFORMAL)
You may like a Malt whisky that is peatier, or smokier, or sweeter, or ~.
PHRASE: cl/group PHR
7.
You say ‘~ you say’ to indicate that you accept what someone has said, even though you do not really believe them or do not think it is a good idea.
‘We’ll go in your car, Billy.’—‘Whatever you say.’
CONVENTION feelings
8.
You say ~ you do when giving advice or warning someone about something.
Whatever you do, don’t look for a pay increase when you know the company is going through some difficulty...
PHRASE: PHR cl emphasis