whichever one / whatever

[Trex]

I’ve brought two newspapers. You can have ---- one you like.

A) whichever
B) whoever
C) whenever
D) however
E) whatever

The correct answer is A, but is "whatever one" wrong? Can't we use "whatever" with "one"? Is the number of the newspapers being "two" or a definite set is a determining factor in our choosing "whichever" rather than "whatever"?

[David L.]

Is the number of the newspapers being "two" or a definite set the determining factor in our choosing "whichever" rather than "whatever"?

YES

[Trex]

Originally Posted by David L.

Is the number of the newspapers being "two" or a definite set the determining factor in our choosing "whichever" rather than "whatever"?

YES

Would "whatever one" be correct if it were not a definite set?

[David L.]

'which' is used when asking a question, 'whichever' as in the sentence you quoted.

'what' is used to ask a question : "What would you like for Christmas?"

As an interrogative pronoun, 'whatever' is used instead of 'what' in questions, typically expressing surprise or confusion : 'Whatever is the matter?"

As soon as you say, What/whatever/whichever one, you mean/imply 'one of something' eg one of these apples. You are immediately defining a set from which the person must select 'one' and so we must use 'which/whichever'

And it shouldn't be confused with "Whatever one may think..."!!!

[Trex]

So "one" does not go with "whatever", is that right?

[proof.beh]

Originally Posted by Trex

So "one" does not go with "whatever", is that right?

Of course "Whatever" can not be together with a "one" after it!

Because "whatever" means the thing has to be selected by someone arbitrarily, whereas "one" itself means the thing we've already quoted to it or its relatives!