B2CEFRGrammar12 min

Whatever, Whenever, No Matter

Busking and street performers

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Level B2 • Grammar ⏱️ 12 Minutes

Whatever, Whenever, No Matter

Master conditional connectors for general choices, places, times, and degrees through the vibrant world of street performers.

📌 How to use this lesson

👩‍🏫 For Teachers:

Use this 12-minute quick lesson to teach connectors for general choices. Check answers together after students finish the 12 practice items.

🧑‍🎓 For Learners:

Read the four simple rules and example sentences first. Then complete the 12 practice tasks below step by step.

📚 Grammar Rules

Rule 1 whatever • whoever • whichever

Use whatever for any thing, whoever for any person, and whichever for a small choice. You can put this whole phrase at the start or in the middle of a sentence. It works as the main subject or object.

🗣️ Whoever arrives first gets the best spot by the fountain.

🎻 The violinist plays whatever tune the crowd requests.

Rule 2 wherever • whenever

Use wherever for any place and whenever for any time. You can put this part at the beginning with a comma, or at the end without a comma. Whenever can also mean every single time something happens.

🥁 The drummer smiles whenever someone drops a coin into his case.

🚶 You can perform wherever there is space on the sidewalk.

Rule 3 however + describing word

Use however with a describing word right after it to show that degree does not change anything. Always put the describing word before the subject and action word. Do not put the subject between however and the describing word.

❄️ However cold it is, she plays her violin with a smile.

🔊 However loudly the bystanders talk, the sound carries through the amplifier.

Rule 4 no matter + question word

Use no matter with words like what, who, where, when, or how to say that something does not change the result. You can start with this phrase or put it at the end. Do not use no matter as the main subject of a sentence.

📍 No matter where he plays, a small crowd always follows him.

🎭 The mime keeps performing no matter how quiet the street is.

✨ Pattern in Action

"Wherever the singer sets up, a small crowd soon stops to listen to her."

Notice how the clause starts with "Wherever" to mean "in any place", followed by a comma when placed at the beginning of the sentence.

🎯 Interactive Practice Tasks

Complete the 12 exercises below to test your understanding.

1 Choose the Correct Sentence

Question 1 (person)

Which sentence correctly talks about any person performing?

____ a. Whoever arrives first at the plaza gets the best spot by the fountain. ____ b. Whoever arrive first at the plaza gets the best spot by the fountain. ____ c. Whatever arrives first at the plaza gets the best spot by the fountain.
Question 2 (time)

Which sentence correctly describes an action happening every time?

____ a. The audience will applaud wherever the mime finishes a trick. ____ b. The audience will applaud whenever the mime finishes a trick. ____ c. The audience will applaud whenever does the mime finish a trick.
Question 3 (degree)

Which sentence shows the correct word order after 'however'?

____ a. However the comedian tries hard, some bystanders do not laugh. ____ b. However hard does the comedian try, some bystanders do not laugh. ____ c. However hard the comedian tries, some bystanders do not laugh.

2 Sentence Rewrite

Question 4 (thing)

Rewrite the sentence using no matter what while keeping the exact meaning:

"It does not matter what happens; the mime will improvise."
____ (Type your full sentence here...)
Question 5 (place)

Rewrite the sentence using wherever:

"It does not matter where the drummer plays; a crowd gathers."
____ (Type your full sentence here...)
Question 6 (degree)

Rewrite the sentence using however:

"It does not matter how loud the amplifier is; the music sounds clear."
____ (Type your full sentence here...)

3 Fill the Gaps

Question 7 (choice)

The comedian offered two funny hats and told the bystander to pick ____ one she liked best.

Question 8 (time)

The enthusiastic crowd asks for an encore ____ the violinist finishes her final tune.

Question 9 (degree)

____ fast the drummer plays, the crowd keeps dancing along.

4 Correct the Error in a Message

Question 10 (degree)

💬 Text message from Sam:

"Hi! However it is cold outside, the street performer keeps playing!"

Type the corrected phrase (3 words):

____ (Type the corrected 3-word phrase...)
Question 11 (thing)

💬 Text message from Alex:

"Hey! No matter what song the guitarist plays is amazing!"

Type the correct word to replace 'No matter what' when used as a subject (1 word):

____ (Type the correct word...)
Question 12 (place)

💬 Text message from Maya:

"I love this city! No matter when you walk in the town square, you will hear a violinist."

Type the corrected 3-word phrase for talking about any place:

____ (Type the 3-word phrase...)

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