quoi que ce soit

Whatever/anything with Quoi Que Ce Soit

Level 6

Quoi que ce soit is a high-level indefinite pronoun used to express 'anything' in an emphatic or exhaustive way. It is most common in negative sentences (meaning 'not a single thing') or in 'if' clauses (meaning 'anything at all').

How It Works

1. Usage in Negation
In negative sentences, quoi que ce soit emphasizes that absolutely nothing was involved. While ne...rien is the standard way to say 'nothing,' quoi que ce soit adds a layer of 'not even the smallest thing.'
Example: Il n'a pas dit quoi que ce soit. (He didn't say anything at all.)

2. Usage in Hypotheticals
It is frequently used after si (if) or in questions to cover all possibilities.
Example: Si quoi que ce soit arrive, appelle-moi. (If anything at all happens, call me.)

3. Adding Adjectives
When you want to describe the 'anything' (e.g., 'anything interesting'), you must use the particle d' before the adjective.
Example: Je n'ai rien trouvé de spécial vs Je n'ai pas trouvé quoi que ce soit d'intéressant.

4. Spelling and Distinction
Do not confuse this with the single word quoique (although). Quoi que (two words) always means 'whatever.' Also, ensure you use the demonstrative ce and not the reflexive se.

Examples (4)

  1. N'hésitez pas à me contacter si vous avez besoin de quoi que ce soit.

    Don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything at all.

    Word by Word: Do not hesitate not to me contact if you have need of what that it be.

    This is a very common professional formula. It uses 'quoi que ce soit' to mean 'absolutely anything' in a polite, helpful context.

  2. Il est parti sans dire quoi que ce soit à personne.

    He left without saying a single thing to anyone.

    Word by Word: He is left without to say what that it be to nobody.

    Here, it emphasizes the total silence of the person leaving, more strongly than just using 'rien'.

  3. Je ne veux pas que quoi que ce soit vienne gâcher cette journée.

    I don't want anything to come and ruin this day.

    Word by Word: I not want not that what that it be comes to ruin this day.

    In this sentence, 'quoi que ce soit' acts as the subject of the subordinate clause, followed by the subjunctive 'vienne'.

  4. Avez-vous remarqué quoi que ce soit de suspect ?

    Did you notice anything suspicious?

    Word by Word: Have you noticed what that it be of suspicious?

    Note the use of 'de' before the adjective 'suspect'. This is mandatory when an adjective follows 'quoi que ce soit'.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing 'quoique' as one word in this context.

    Il n'a pas mangé quoique ce soit.
    Il n'a pas mangé quoi que ce soit.

    'Quoique' (one word) means 'although'. For the meaning 'whatever' or 'anything', you must use two words: 'quoi que'.

  • Omitting the 'd'' before an adjective.

    Je n'ai pas vu quoi que ce soit intéressant.
    Je n'ai pas vu quoi que ce soit d'intéressant.

    Just like with 'quelque chose' or 'rien', an adjective following 'quoi que ce soit' must be introduced by 'd''.

  • Confusing it with 'n'importe quoi' in negative sentences.

    Je n'ai pas vu n'importe quoi.
    Je n'ai pas vu quoi que ce soit.

    'Je n'ai pas vu n'importe quoi' means 'I didn't see just any old thing' (I saw something specific). To say 'I didn't see anything at all', use 'quoi que ce soit'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

quoi que ce soitLevel 6Whatever/anything with Quoi Que Ce Soit

Learn This First

To understand 'quoi que ce soit', you need to recognize the pronoun 'quoi' and the subjunctive form of the verb 'être' (soit). It is a fixed expression meaning 'anything at all' or 'whatever it may be', built on the logic of a concessive relative clause.

Words in This Pattern

quoi que ce soit