whatever與no matter what

有這樣一道題：

It is generally considered unwise to give a child __________ her or she wants.

A. whatever             B. no matter what       C. whenever            D. no matter when

此題應選 A。容易誤選B。選項C、D顯然是錯的，因為句中的 wants 缺賓語，而C、D兩項不能作賓語。至于C、D 的區別，可這樣描述：no matter what 只能引導狀語從句，而不引導名詞性從句。而 whatever 既可引導名詞性從句(＝anything that)，也可引導狀語從句(＝no matter what)：

1. 引導名詞性從句(只用whatever)：

無論他做什么都是對的。

正：Whatever he did was right.

誤：No matter what he did was right.

無論他說什么似乎都有道理。

正：Whatever he says sounds reasonable.

誤：No matter what he says sounds reasonable.

山羊找到什么就吃什么。

正：Goats eat whatever they find.

誤：Goats eat no matter what they find.

2. 引導狀語從句(兩者可換用)：

無論你說什么，我都不會相信你。

正：Whatever you say，I won’t believe you.

正：No matter what you say，I won’t believe you.

無論發生什么，都要保持鎮定。

正：Keep calm，whatever happens.

正：Keep calm，no matter what happens.