Whereis awh-word. We usewhereto ask questions, as a conjunction and to introduce relative clauses.
Whereas a question word
We can usewhereto ask for information about place:
Wheredid you buy those shoes?
Wherewill you be working next Monday?
We can usewherein indirect questions:
I asked himwhereI could buy an umbrella.
Can you tell mewhereshe left the keys?
Emphatic questions withwhereverandwhere on earth
We can ask emphatic questions usingwhereverorwhere on earthto express shock or surprise. We stresseverandearth:
Whereverare you going with such a big bag?(stronger thanWhere are you going?)
Whereon earthhave I put my wallet?(stronger thanWhere have I put my wallet?)
See also:
Questions
Indirect speech: reporting questions
Whereas a conjunction
We usewhereas a conjunction meaning ‘in the place that’ or ‘in situations that’. The clause withwhereis a subordinate clause and needs a main clauseto complete its meaning. If thewhereclause comes before the main clause, we use a comma:
Whereyou find a lot of water, you will also find these beautiful insects.
Whereyou have to pay a deposit, be sure to get a receipt.
Whereas a relative pronoun
We can usewhereas a relative pronoun:
The hotelwherewe spent our honeymoon has been demolished.
The hallwhereyou’re giving your talk has a really good sound system.
See also:
Relative clauses