However, whatever, no matter how: whatever happens, keep running – exercises on -ever words and no matter
About this lesson
This C1 drill lesson gives however and no matter exercises: the five -ever words, their no matter twins, the word order after however, and the places where only the -ever word fits.
- Grammar
- However or no matter how + adjective or adverb + subject + verb, whatever, whoever, wherever, whenever, Take whatever you need, and However, for but.
- Topic
- Sports: an invented youth soccer coach's speech before her last cup final, then the captain's post, the club news, a parent's card and a teammate's texts.
- Activities
- True or false, sorts, choices, typed gaps, word order, matching, a memory game, find-the-mistake quizzes, drag-and-drop texts, a rewrite table, a chat and a final test.
What's inside
Chapter 1The rule
- PictureUnlock
- Study the scheme: however, whatever, no matter howGrammar schemeTry it
- Is the sentence correct? Mark true or falseTrue or falseUnlock
- Sort the sentences: which -ever word fills the gap?Sort into columnsTry it
- Choose the right wordChoose the optionUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: add -ever to the word in bracketsFill in the gapsUnlock
Chapter 2However hard you try
- Choose the right word orderChoose the optionTry it
- Fill in the gaps: adjective or adverb + subject + verbFill in the gapsUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: say it in one sentenceFill in the gapsUnlock
- Put the words in the right orderUnjumbleUnlock
- Find the mistake and choose the right wordsQuizUnlock
- Match the beginnings and the endingsMatchUnlock
Chapter 3Whatever happens, whoever you are
- Choose the right word: a person, a thing, a place or a timeChoose the optionUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: no matter + one question wordFill in the gapsTry it
- Fill in the gaps: join the two sentencesFill in the gapsUnlock
- Read Mrs. Lusk's letter and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
- Find the mistake and choose the right words: who, what, whereQuizUnlock
- Find the matching pairs: -ever word and no matterMemory gameUnlock
Chapter 4Take whatever you need
- Choose the right words: -ever word or no matter?Choose the optionTry it
- Sort the sentences: can no matter take the place of the -ever word?Sort into columnsUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: say it with one wordFill in the gapsUnlock
- Choose the right words: however in two meaningsChoose the optionUnlock
- Put the words in the right order: -ever words inside the sentenceUnjumbleUnlock
- Choose the correct sentenceQuizUnlock
Chapter 5Real life: One last game
- Read the coach's speechReal-life documentUnlock
- Read the speech again: true or false?True or falseUnlock
- Read Yasmin's post and fill in the gapsFill in the gapsUnlock
- Read the club news and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
- Read Gisela's card and choose the right wordsChoose the optionUnlock
- Choose the right replies: Carys texts youChatTry it
- Test yourself: choose the right answerQuizUnlock
Chapter 6Homework
- Choose the right word: people, things, places and timesChoose the optionUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: how hard, how much, how lateFill in the gapsUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: one -ever word in eachFill in the gapsUnlock
- Sort the sentences: what does however mean?Sort into columnsUnlock
- Put the words in the right order: everyday sentencesUnjumbleUnlock
- Match the beginnings and the endings: everyday lifeMatchUnlock
- Fill in the table: two ways to say itFill in the tableUnlock
- Find the mistake and choose the right words: everyday EnglishQuizUnlock
- Is the sentence correct? Mark true or false: at workTrue or falseUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: one sentence instead of twoFill in the gapsUnlock
- Choose the right words: at homeChoose the optionUnlock
- Choose the correct sentence: everyday EnglishQuizUnlock
- Read Anneliese's note and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
- Read Bodhi's post and fill in the gapsFill in the gapsUnlock
- Read Brisa's review and choose the right wordsChoose the optionUnlock
Grammar: however, whatever, no matter how: it makes no difference
These words say that something doesn't change the result: However hard you practice, you'll make mistakes. The two families usually mean the same thing, but in a few places only the -ever word works, and however also has a second job as a linking word.
However, whatever, no matter how: it makes no difference
Say that something doesn't change the result: However hard you try… Whatever happens… No matter who wins…
Five -ever words and their twins
The -ever clause usually comes first, then a comma and the main clause: Whoever calls, take a message. Each word has a twin: however = no matter how, whatever = no matter what, and likewise with who, where and when.
An -ever word or no matter + a question word
-ever word · no matter + what / who / how…(adjective or adverb after how)subject + verb, main clause
However hard you practice, you'll make mistakes.
Whatever happens, we'll stay together.
No matter where you go, I'll write to you.
Five -ever words and their twins
| -ever word | = no matter … | It means | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| however + adjective / adverb | no matter how + adjective / adverb | to any degree | However tired you are, finish the race. |
| whatever | no matter what | any thing | Whatever you decide, I'll help. |
| whoever | no matter who | any person | Whoever calls, take a message. |
| wherever | no matter where | any place | Wherever you are, call me. |
| whenever | no matter when | any time | Whenever you visit, the door is open. |
The word order after however
The adjective or adverb comes straight after however or no matter how, then subject + verb in statement order: No matter how fast he runs… Don't split them or use question order: not However you try hard or No matter how late is it.
- however / no matter how + adjective or adverb + subject + verb: However cold it is… · No matter how fast he runs…
- Keep the adjective or adverb right after how: However hard you try. (Not: However you try hard.)
- No question order after how: No matter how late it is. (Not: No matter how late is it.)
- With much and many: However much it costs… · No matter how many times I ask…
When only the -ever word works
No matter can't replace an -ever word that means anyone who, anything that, or any place or time that: Whoever wins the final gets a medal. Sit wherever you want. Phone us whenever you like.
Both are right: = it doesn't matter what / who / how…
- Whatever you do, I'll love you. = No matter what you do, I'll love you.
- I'll wait for you wherever you are. = I'll wait for you no matter where you are.
Only the -ever word: = anything / anyone / any place that…
- Whoever wins the final gets a medal. (Not: No matter who wins the final gets a medal.)
- Eat whatever you like. (Also right: Eat what you like.)
- Sit wherever you want. · Phone us whenever you like.
Tense, may and whatever + noun
A present tense talks about the future: Whatever happens tomorrow…, not will happen. May is optional and a little formal. Whatever can take a noun: Whatever the weather, we'll play. No matter always needs its question word.
- A present tense for the future: Whatever happens tomorrow, … (Not: Whatever will happen tomorrow.)
- may is optional and a little formal: However difficult it may be… · Whatever you may think…
- whatever + noun: Whatever problems you have, call us. · Whatever the weather, we'll play.
- One word: whatever, whoever, however, wherever, whenever. (Not: what ever, who ever.)
- no matter always needs a question word: No matter what happens. (Not: No matter happens. No matter it rains.)
- whoever works as an object too: Invite whoever you like. (whomever is very formal.)
However: two different words
However, with a comma means but and opens a new sentence: The test was hard. However, we all passed. However + adjective means no matter how, and the main clause takes no but: However hard the test is, we'll pass.
however: two different words
However, with a comma = but, at the start of a new sentence: The test was hard. However, we all passed. However + adjective or adverb = no matter how: However hard the test is, we'll pass. A comma joins the two parts; don't add but. (Not: However hard it is, but we'll pass.)
Examples
- However slowly you walk, you'll get there in the end.however + adverb
- Whatever the weather, the market is open on Sundays.whatever + noun
- Whoever you are, this song is for you.= no matter who you are
- Whoever finishes first can go home early.= anyone who finishes first: only whoever
- Stop by whenever you like.= at any time you like: only whenever
- I'll follow you wherever you go.= no matter where you go
Common mistakes
However it is difficult, I'll try.
However difficult it is, I'll try.
however + adjective + subject + verb
No matter how is it far, we'll walk.
No matter how far it is, we'll walk.
no question order
No matter what you do it, don't give up.
No matter what you do, don't give up.
what is already the object
However hard I tried, but I failed.
However hard I tried, I failed.
no but after the comma
Try the however and no matter exercises
Try them yourself: these are the same exercises your students do in edio.
What's in the lesson
- 39 auto-checked exercises
- 4 games
- 1 real-life document
- 1 grammar scheme
- 1 picture
The main objectives of this lesson are to:
- put the adjective or adverb right after however or no matter how: However hard you try, you can't please everyone.
- pick the -ever word for a person, a thing, a place or a time: Whoever rings the doorbell, tell them I'm not home.
- swap an -ever word for its twin with no matter: Whatever happens = No matter what happens
- use only the -ever word as a subject or object: Whoever scores the most points gets a free pizza.
- tell However, (but) from However + adjective: It was pouring. However, we went for a walk.
- Grammar:
- however + adjective · whatever / whoever / wherever / whenever · no matter how / what / who / where / when · -ever words · concessive clauses
- Topic:
- grammar practice · speeches · sports · soccer · motivation
Teaching tips
- Collect no-matter promises: each student makes one pledge to the class with whatever, wherever or however, such as However tired I am, I'll do my homework, and the class votes for the boldest.
- Test where no matter fits before chapter 4: write Whatever happens, call me and Take whatever you need on the board, and let students try no matter what in both.
- Write a pep talk after the coach's speech: small groups prepare a few lines of encouragement for a team or an exam class, with at least three -ever clauses, and deliver it.
Liked it?
Teach the whole lesson in edio
43 exercises in 6 chapters, ready to teach. edio is an online platform for language schools and teachers: ready-made interactive lessons, live classes, homework and student progress in one place.
Start a free trial
7 days, no credit card.
Open the lesson
Find it in the library of 621 ready lessons. Teach it as it is, or copy any chapter into your own lessons.
Teach it live or as homework
Students work in their own accounts, in sync with you during the lesson, and the practice exercises check themselves.
The whole course: English Grammar Practice · C1
English Grammar Practice · C1 has 16 drill lessons on advanced grammar, one point each: inversion, cleft sentences, the subjunctive, advanced passives, ellipsis, nominalization, hedging, fronting and concession. Each has the rule as a scheme, 43 to 47 exercises that check themselves, 15 of them for homework, and no new words.See the course
- 1Inversion: never have I been so nervous!
- 2Conditionals without if: had I known, should you need, were I to
- 3Cleft sentences: it's the focus that counts
- 4Advanced passives: who was told what?
- 5The subjunctive: it's essential that everyone be honest
- 6Likelihood: is it bound to happen?
- 7Be to, about to, due to, set to: the first tram is about to leave
- 8Ellipsis and substitution: I hope so, I'd love to
- 9Nominalization: from “sales fell” to “a fall in sales”
- 10Advanced participle clauses: weather permitting
- 11Hedging: it would appear that we tend to agree
- 12Alternatives to if: supposing they say no?
- 13Fronting: strange as it may seem
- 14Advanced relative clauses: the rules, all of which are new
- 15However, whatever, no matter how: whatever happens, keep running
- 16Contrast and concession: office or home?