whatever与no matter what

有这样一道题：

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

此题应选 A。容易误选B。选项C、D显然是错的，因为句中的 wants 缺宾语，而C、D两项不能作宾语。至于C、D 的区别，可这样描述：no matter what 只能引导状语从句，而不引导名词性从句。而 whatever 既可引导名词性从句(=anything that)，也可引导状语从句(=no matter what)：

1. 引导名词性从句(只用whatever)：

无论他做什么都是对的。

正：Whatever he did was right.

误：No matter what he did was right.

无论他说什么似乎都有道理。

正：Whatever he says sounds reasonable.

误：No matter what he says sounds reasonable.

山羊找到什么就吃什么。

正：Goats eat whatever they find.

误：Goats eat no matter what they find.

2. 引导状语从句(两者可换用)：

无论你说什么，我都不会相信你。

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

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

无论发生什么，都要保持镇定。

正：Keep calm，whatever happens.

正：Keep calm，no matter what happens.