Whoever, Whatever, Whichever, Whomever

[sw001]

Dear Instructors,

While I was not able to create any sentences with Plural form using Whoever, Whomever.

These two sentences from whatever, whichever -

Whatever resources are required, were ordered.
Whichever costumes are needed, have been ordered.

Are these two sentences correct? If so, does that mean whichever and whatever can take plural form as well? Please do confirm.

Thanks!

[tim]

No, your sentences are not correct. But to the extent it will ever become relevant on a GMAT problem, those pronouns can be either singular or plural depending on the noun that follows them.

[RonPurewal]

More importantly—
This is a GMAT forum. It's not a "general English grammar and usage" forum. Please do not post questions about general usage, unless they arise in your study of GMAT-related materials.

I.e., you should have at least one concrete GMAT-related source that you can cite (hence all the forum rules about citations, etc.)

This is not just "Ron is being annoying about the rules".
This is extremely important, because the GMAT tests a VERY narrow band of potential errors in English grammar and usage. We're definitely talking single-digit percentages. The vast majority of English language issues are not tested at all on this exam.
So, if you post a query about some random aspect of English grammar or usage, it's very unlikely to have any relevance to this exam.

[sw001]

Hello Ron, Tim,

Thanks for your replies. Actually, I did encounter one of these words in my GMAT studies. In MGMAT SC book Chapter 3, Page 45 "Whatever" is listed among "Usually Singular", thus wanted to confirm the plural usage as well in GMAT. Thanks Tim for confirming that these can take any form - singular or plural, depending upon the noun that follows.

Ron - I definitely like the fact of MGMAT directing us just towards GMAT oriented studies. And every time you pin point, I am happy that I have one less thing to worry about. And for that reason I love MGMAT SC book.

Thank you so much!!

[RonPurewal]

Sure.

[aaronle3]

In chapter 3 of the SC book pg 45,

Question #13 Whoever rented these movies has to take them back before midnight.

The answer says that subject phrases are always singular. the example used in the book is Whatever they wanted to do IS fine with me.

Ron's response to the answer that it depends on the noun that follows is this correct?

Thanks,
A

[RonPurewal]

this topic doesn't belong in the current folder. MPrep materials have their own folders—one for CAT questions, and another for all other MPrep stuff.

please re-post this question in the correct folder.

thanks.

[RonPurewal]

also, if you re-post, you'll need to clarify:

Ron's response to the answer that it depends on the noun that follows is this correct?

i don't understand what you are asking here.

it seems you're referring to one of my earlier posts. if that's the case, please include a link to that post. thanks.