These words deserve their own lesson, as we don’t really have the matching words in French.
General use of these words:
Whatever, whoever, whenever, and wherever are used to express freedom, flexibility, or an open-ended situation. They are compound words formed from question words (what, who, when, where) combined with “-ever.” Each can have several translations in French.
1. Whatever
Meaning: Refers to anything or no matter what.
- Usage Examples:
- “You can take whatever you want from the fridge.”
- “I’ll support you whatever your decision is.”
- Key Tip: Think of it as “any thing” or “no matter what thing.”Whoever
Meaning: Refers to anyone or no matter who.
Usage Examples:
“I’ll talk to whoever is in charge of the event.”
“Whoever finishes the test first can leave early.”
Key Tip: Use it when referring to people, regardless of their identity.
Whoever
Meaning: Refers to anyone or no matter who.
- Usage Examples:
- “I’ll talk to whoever is in charge of the event.”
- “Whoever finishes the test first can leave early.”
- Key Tip: Use it when referring to people, regardless of their identity.
Whenever
Meaning: Refers to any time or no matter when.
Usage Examples:
“Call me whenever you want to talk.”
“You can visit whenever you’re free.”
Key Tip: Use it to emphasize flexibility in timing.
Meaning: Refers to any place or no matter where.
Usage Examples:
“You can sit wherever you like in the classroom.”
“He follows his dreams wherever they take him.”
Key Tip: Think of it as “any place” or “no matter what place.”
Wherever
Meaning: Refers to any place or no matter where.
- Usage Examples:
- “You can sit wherever you like in the classroom.”
- “He follows his dreams wherever they take him.”
- Key Tip: Think of it as “any place” or “no matter what place.”