Cool MateSo what he'd do vs Whatever
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
So what he'd do
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Whatever
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)B1
Most common: Whatever
| So what he'd do | Whatever | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //səʊ wɒt hiːd duː//🇺🇸 //soʊ wɑt hid du// | 🇬🇧 /["/wɒtˈevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/wətˈevər/"]/ |
| Meaning | A phrase used to express indifference or dismissal about someone's actions. | any thing or any one; used to show indifference |
| Example | When she complained about the movie, I thought, 'So what he'd do?' | Take whatever action is needed. |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Collocations | so what if, so what happens next, so what does it mean, so what should I do, so what about it | whatever you want, whatever happens, whatever it takes |
| Antonyms | - | nothing, none, no matter what |
| Common mistakes | Using it too formally in business discussions., Misunderstanding the tone; it can sound dismissive., Confusing with similar phrases like 'So what did he do?' | Used too seriously in formal writing., Confused with 'whichever' in context., Mispronounced as 'what-ever' instead of 'whatev-er'. |
| Usage notes | "So what he'd do" is often used in casual conversations to show that someone's actions or opinions are not important to the speaker. It's not typically used in formal settings. | Often used to dismiss a topic or show lack of concern. Avoid in formal contexts; can come off as rude if not used lightly. |
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Frequently asked questions: So what he'd do vs Whatever
What's the difference between So what he'd do and Whatever?
So what he'd do: A phrase used to express indifference or dismissal about someone's actions. Whatever: any thing or any one; used to show indifference
Which is more common: So what he'd do and Whatever?
Whatever is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
So what he'd do: When she complained about the movie, I thought, 'So what he'd do?' Whatever: Take whatever action is needed.
Can I use So what he'd do and Whatever interchangeably?
Not always. So what he'd do and Whatever are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.