whatever or what

[hoangkha]

Hello. I have a question.
- It is generally considered unwise to give a child _______ he or she wants．

A．that
B.what
C .whatever (key)

Would you mind explaining why "B.what" is incorrect, please?

 

[Rover_KE]

B. 'what' is also correct.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would not use "what". It is grammatical but it is not logical. If your child wants food/water, is it wise to deny him/her that? "Whatever" suggests "anything" he/she wants, and that would be unwise.

 

[khanhhung2512]

I would not use "what". It is grammatical but it is not logical. If your child wants food/water, is it wise to deny him/her that? "Whatever" suggests "anything" he/she wants, and that would be unwise.

I agree. Also, my answer is basically the same as this, I wonder why it was deleted.
NOT A TEACHER

 

[MikeNewYork]

I don't know what you wrote.

 

[hoangkha]

Thank you all.
According to OALD
what (pronoun, determiner)

2 the thing or things that; whatever
http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/what?q=what


and Grammaring

whatever » anything that
whoever » anyone who
whichever » any ... which
wherever » at any place
whenever » at any time
You can do whatever you want to.
Whoever leaves last should turn off the lights.
Choose whichever pencil you like.
Wherever I looked there was something interesting to see.
Whenever I go abroad, I take as many pictures as possible.
It is possible to use what instead of whatever in the first sentence above, but it is not possible to use who instead of whoever in the second sentence:
You can do what you want to.

http://www.grammaring.com/whatever-w...rever-whenever
I feel confused.

 

[khanhhung2512]

You can do whatever you want to.
You can do what you want to.
http://www.grammaring.com/whatever-w...rever-whenever

NOT A TEACHER
I'm not sure, but I feel that, "You can do what/whatever you want," sounds more natural. Am I wrong?