Mastering English Grammar: Conjunctions and Verb Structures

Understanding Wh-Ever Words in English

These words function as conjunctions or determiners, adding emphasis or generality. They are often used to mean 'no matter what/who/when/where/which/how.'

• Whatever: Lo que sea
• Whoever: Quien sea
• Whenever: Cuando sea
• Wherever: Donde sea
• Whichever: Cual sea
• However: Como sea (or 'nevertheless')

Usage Examples for "Whatever"

• He always wears a suit, whatever the occasion.
• Whatever happens, I want you to remember that I love you.
• Whatever it may be, we will be ready for it.

Usage Examples for "Whoever"

• Whoever wants to use the bathroom, do it now.
• Whoever told me it was fun to go fishing?

Usage Examples for "Whenever"

• Whenever it is cold, I wear a warm scarf.
• Close the door whenever you need privacy.

Usage Examples for "Wherever"

• Go wherever you want. I don't care.
• I went out and wandered wherever chance took me.

Usage Examples for "Whichever"

• Whichever of the three you like, I have no preference.
• Whichever is worse, both are intolerable.

Usage Examples for "However" (Adverbial Conjunction)

• However, the first reading was also the last.
• However, this agreement is contrary to this principle.

Verbs Followed by a Gerund (V + -ing)

The gerund form (-ing) can function as a noun, often used as the subject of a sentence or following certain verbs.

• Cocinar (Cook) - Cooking
• Aprender (Learn) - Learning
• Dibujar (Draw) - Drawing
• Jugar (Play) - Playing
• Robar (Steal) - Stealing
• Cruzar (Cross) - Crossing
• Alimentar (Feed) - Feeding
• Dormir (Sleep) - Sleeping
• Leer (Read) - Reading
• Golpear (Hit) - Hitting

Examples of Gerund and Continuous Usage

• My mom is cooking my favorite food.
• Learning English would benefit my life.
• Drawing the sea relaxes me.
• I'm playing with Alejandra.
• Leonel is stealing my heart.
• My dogs are crossing with a pitbull.
• Alejandra is always feeding me during school hours.
• I'm sleeping at the desk in the living room.
• My friend is always reading my letters.
• I like to be playing when hitting the sack.

The Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Structure: Subject + have/has been + Verb (-ing). This tense emphasizes the duration or ongoing nature of an action started in the past.

• I have been working.
• You have been playing.
• He has been sleeping.
• She has been drinking.
• It has been crossing.
• We have been reading.
• They have been drawing.
• I have been eating.
• She has been finishing her homework.
• I have been forgetting all my problems.

Verbs and Associated Vocabulary

This section covers simple verbs and examples, including common phrasal verb usage.

• Cut (Cortar)
• Crane (Grulla - Noun, or 'to stretch one's neck' - Verb)
• Give (Dar)

Usage Examples

• My mom cut potatoes for lunch.
• I need to cut my hair.
• You need to crane your neck to see the Golden Gate.
• The crane is such a beautiful animal.
• I gave up playing the Xbox. (Assuming the intent was the phrasal verb 'give up')
• I gave out in the race. (Meaning 'collapsed' or 'failed')

Verbs Followed by an Infinitive (V + to + V)

These verbs require the subsequent verb to be in the infinitive form (to + base verb).

• Afford (Permitirse, tener medios para)
• Manage (Administrar, lograr)
• Refuse (Negarse)
• Promise (Prometer)
• Plan (Planear)
• Decide (Decidir)
• Claim (Reclamar)
• Care (Preocuparse, tener cuidado)
• Fail (Fallar)
• Ask (Preguntar, pedir)
• Propose (Proponer)
• Get (Conseguir, lograr)
• Choose (Elegir)

Usage Examples for V + Infinitive

• We are going to rent an apartment until we can afford to buy a house.
• Did you manage to change the doctor's appointment to Tuesday?
• He knew that I was here and that we could not refuse to help him.
• I promise you that this movie will go beyond all your expectations.
• You didn't keep your promise of loving me forever.
• The job opportunity disappeared before my eyes when I didn't decide on time.
• You may never get another chance.
• What is impossible in what I propose?

Note on 'Care' usage:

• The nurse took care of the patient with solicitude.
• I am responsible for the feeding and care.