Understanding the Morphemic Structure of 'Whenever' in Modern English

The word 'whenever' is a compound adverb conjunction that consists of two free morphemes: 'when' and 'ever.'

Introduction to Morphemes

The word 'whenever' can be dissected into its constituent morphemes, revealing a deeper understanding of its structure and historical development.

Root Morpheme: 'When'

- 'When' is a bound morpheme that relates to time and can stand alone as its own word. It functions as both an adverb and a conjunction. For instance, in the sentence 'When the sun rises, I wake up,' 'when' serves as a conjunction connecting the time of the event to the action.

Bound Morpheme: 'Ever'

- 'Ever' is a bound morpheme that adds a sense of indefiniteness or universality. It is derived from the Old English word 'eofer,' meaning 'whence, whither, from what time,' and was commonly used in a interrogative context.

Formation of 'Whenever'

In Present Day English, 'whenever' is considered one morpheme. Traditionally, 'whenever' was formed by combining 'when' and 'ever' in the late 14th century. According to Etymonline, 'whenever' and 'however' were created during the same period, combining 'when/however' with 'ever.' However, the formation of such words is no longer a common practice in contemporary English.

Examples:

Etymonline states that 'whenever' has been used as a combination of 'when' and 'ever' since the late 14th century. 'However' follows a similar pattern but has not been used in this form since the Middle English period.

Morphemic Analysis of 'Whenever'

'Whenever' as a compound word consists of two free morphemes:

When: An adverb and a conjunction that relates to time. Ever: An adverb that adds a sense of indefiniteness or universality.

The combination of 'when' and 'ever' creates a new meaning, indicating a situation that occurs every time or at any time.

Differences Between 'Whenever' and 'When Ever'

While both 'whenever' and 'when ever' convey a sense of universality, there are subtle differences in usage and context:

Whenever: More concise and preferred in standard English writing and speech. When Ever: The full form is used more frequently in written English for emphasis or clarity.

Compound Words: 'Whenever' as a Closed Compound

Like 'whenever,' other two-word phrases such as 'anywhere,' 'anytime,' and 'anyone' are considered closed compounds. These words are formed by joining two free morphemes with no spaces or hyphens.

Examples of One-Word Forms

Notably, multi-word phrases like 'any place,' 'a lot,' and 'all right' often become one-word forms in nonstandard contexts, such as 'anyplace,' 'alot,' and 'alright.' Conversely, 'wherever' is often incorrectly written as 'whenever,' highlighting the importance of recognizing the correct form.

Correct Usage:

Anywhere: Wherever you go, I will follow. Everywhere: He traveled everywhere in the world. Someone: Someone will help you.

Conclusion

Understanding the morphemic structure of 'whenever' provides insights into the evolution of the English language and its grammatical rules. Whether it is used in written or spoken English, 'whenever' is a concise and effective way to express a continuous or regular occurrence.