1. According to some analysts, whatever its merits, the proposal to tax away all capital gains on short-term investments would, if enacted, have a disastrous effect on Wall Street trading and employment.
whatever its merits 是省略的be动词,不可能是merits作动词(根据its可知)。现在的问题,这样省略be的做法是可行的么?从longman找到了一点根据:
whatever, pron
2. used to say that it is not important what happens, what you do etc because it does not change the situation Whatever I suggest, he always disagrees. The building must be saved, whatever the cost. If you are unable to attend the interview, for whatever reason, you should inform us immediately.