“疑问词+ever”是近年来高考英语的一个考查热点,在各版本的中学英语教材中出现频率较高,而且是学生理解和掌握的一个难点.从不同角度论述这方面内容的文章很多,本文试图别辟蹊径,简单明了地归纳讲解这一问题.

　　“疑问词+ever”可分为两类,“疑问代词+ever”：whatever/whichever/whoever(宾格whomever)和“疑问副词+ever”：wherever/whenever/however.

　　不论是“疑问代词+ever”还是“疑问副词+ever”,其意义都是“不管/无论+该疑问词的本义”.

　　1.“疑问代词+ever”可引导两种类型的从句,即让步状语从句和名词性从句(主语从句、宾语从句).

　　(1)引导让步状语从句.此时whatever/whoever/whichever分别等于“nomatter+what/who/which”.例如：

　　Whateverhappened,hewouldn'tsayaword.=Nomatterwhathappened,hewouldn'tsayaword.

　　Whoeversaysso,itiswrong.=Nomatterwhosaysso,itiswrong.

　　Whicheverdictionaryyou(may)take,youwillhavetopayatleast20dollars.=Nomatterwhichdictionaryyou(may)take,youwillhavetopayatleast20dollars.

　　注意：这类从句中应用一般现在时表将来,从句中也常用情态动词may/might.

　　(2)引导名词性从句.例如：

　　Whoeversmokesherewillbepunished.(主语从句)

　　Beggarswilleatwhatevertheyaregiven.(宾语从句)

　　Whicheverhelikeswillbegiventohim.(主语从句)

　　Youmayinvitewhoever/whomeveryoulike.(常用whoever代替whomever)

　　此时它们都不能换成“nomatter+疑问词”的形式,但whoever等于anyonewho,whatever等于anythingthat.

　　2.“疑问副词+ever”：wherever/whenever/however一般只能引导一种类型的从句,即让步状语从句,此时它们分别等于“nomatter+where/when/how”.例如：

　　Whereverhegoes(maygo).I'llfollowhim.=Nomatterwherehegoes(maygo),I'llfollowhim.

　　WheneverIwisitedhim,hewasalwaysbusyworking.=NomatterwhenIvisitedhim,hewasalwaysbusyworking.

　　Howeverlateheis,hismotherwillwaitforhimtohavedinnertogether.=Nomatterhowlateheis,hismotherwillwaitforhimtohavedinnertogether.

　　注意：当however用作连接副词时也可引导名词性从句,而whenever/wherever则不能引导名词性从句.例如：

　　I'llgiveyouhowevermuchmoneyyouneed.(宾语从句,此时however不能改成nomatterhow).

　　3.另外,whatever/whichever/whoever与whenever/wherever/however分别可相当于what/which/who与when/where/how的强调式,引起的特殊疑问句往往是简单句,与原疑问词的意思、用法完全相同,只是表达的语气更为强烈,翻译时可加上“到底；究竟”等.例如：

　　What(ever)areyoudoing你(到底)在干什么?

　　Which(ever)doyouwanttobuy你(究竟)要买哪一个?

　　Who(ever)toldyousuchafoolishstory?(究竟)是谁讲给你这么蠢的事?

　　When(ever)canIenjoyalongvacation?(究竟)什么时候才能给我放个长假呢?

　　Where(ever)didyouleaveyourdictionary?你(究竟)把词典放哪儿了?

　　How(ever)didyoucollectsomuchmoney?你(到底)是怎样筹到这么多钱的?