English grammar
-ever words in a past story (wherever she went, whatever the boss said) and however + clause (= in whatever way)
Use wherever, whoever, whatever and however in the present and in a past story, and say look wherever you like.
From the scene Wherever you go
In short
-ever words take the past simple in a past story: wherever she went. However + clause means in whatever way.
Your turn
Which one goes with any person (past action)?
Options: wherever she went, she carried coffee · whoever told you it doesn't show… lied · wherever I go, you turn up
Show answer
any person (past action) → whoever told you it doesn't show… lied
How it works
You know whoever, whatever and wherever with the present. In a story about the past they simply take the past simple: wherever she went, whatever the boss said.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Habit, dear. (blank) there's a secret, there I am.
Options: Whatever · Wherever · Whoever
Show answer
Habit, dear. Wherever there's a secret, there I am.
Costumbre, hijo. Dondequiera que haya un secreto, allí estoy yo.
Good to know
However + subject + verb means in whatever way (however you make it), not but.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
And (blank) told you it doesn't show... lied to you.
Options: wherever · however · whoever
Show answer
And whoever told you it doesn't show... lied to you.
Y quienquiera que te haya dicho que no se nota... te ha mentido.
Good to know
Look wherever you like is the everyday way to say it doesn't matter where you look.
any place, every time (present) wherever I go, you turn up
Javi
Doña Elena, wherever I go, you turn up.
Doña Elena, vaya donde vaya, usted aparece.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Doña Elena, (blank).
Options: wherever she went, she carried coffee · wherever I go, you turn up · whoever told you it doesn't show lied
Show answer
Javi
Doña Elena, wherever I go, you turn up.
Doña Elena, vaya donde vaya, usted aparece.
any person (past action) whoever told you it doesn't show… lied
Your turn
What goes with whoever told you it doesn't show… lied?
Options: any place, in a past story · any person (past action) · any place, every time (present)
Show answer
whoever told you it doesn't show… lied → any person (past action)
any place, in a past story wherever she went, she carried coffee
Elena
Rosario, in Madrid, wherever she went, carried coffee in her bag.
Rosario, en Madrid, fuera donde fuera, llevaba café en el bolso.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Rosario, in Madrid, (blank), carried coffee in her bag.
Options: wherever I go · whoever told you it doesn't show lied · wherever she went
Show answer
Elena
Rosario, in Madrid, wherever she went, carried coffee in her bag.
Rosario, en Madrid, fuera donde fuera, llevaba café en el bolso.
anything at all, in a past story whatever the boss said, she made us a coffee
Elena
She said Madrid's was dirty water. And whatever the boss said, she made us a coffee.
Decía que el de Madrid era agua sucia. Y dijera lo que dijera el jefe, nos hacía un tinto.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
She said Madrid's was dirty water. And (blank).
Options: whoever told you it doesn't show lied · whatever the boss said, she made us a coffee · wherever I go, you turn up
Show answer
Elena
She said Madrid's was dirty water. And whatever the boss said, she made us a coffee.
Decía que el de Madrid era agua sucia. Y dijera lo que dijera el jefe, nos hacía un tinto.
in whatever way: however + clause however you make it, she says it's watery
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| any place, every time (present) | wherever I go, you turn up |
|---|---|
| any person (past action) | whoever told you it doesn't show… lied |
| any place, in a past story | wherever she went, she carried coffee |
| anything at all, in a past story | whatever the boss said, she made us a coffee |
| in whatever way: however + clause | however you make it, she says it's watery |
More lines from the story
- ElenaHabit, dear. Wherever there's a secret, there I am.Costumbre, hijo. Dondequiera que haya un secreto, allí estoy yo.
- NuriaAnd whoever told you it doesn't show... lied to you.Y quienquiera que te haya dicho que no se nota... te ha mentido.
- ElenaVery well. We start with the storehouse.Muy bien. Empezamos por el almacén.