Where or where? This is a common question for those who write. However, the use of each of these terms is quite simple. The word "Where" is used to refer to a place, the equivalent to "where". Already "to where” is the combination of the preposition “a” with the adverb or pronoun relative “where”. Therefore: a + where = where. Thus, the term "where" can only be used when accompanied by another term that requires the preposition “a”, as in the phrase: “I go wherever you go”.
Read too: Bring or back?
When do you use “where”?
"where" is a adverb of place and can also exercise the function of relative pronoun (when referring to a place mentioned earlier in the sentence).
Example
“Where there is smoke, there is fire.”
In this popular expression, the word "where" indicates the place where there is smoke and fire.
Example
Where did I put my wallet?
In this interrogative sentence, the word "where" indicates the place (still unknown) in which the enunciator placed his wallet.
In the next sentence, notice that the relative pronoun “where” takes up the noun “country”:
Angola was the country Where I lived during the 90s.
Therefore, "where", in this example, refers to the country Angola, mentioned before.
But attention! Don't confuse place with time. It is common for some people to misuse "where" as in:
We were all sad that day, it was Where I realized he was missed.
Note that the use of the word "where" in this sentence, does not make sense, because that word indicates place. To what place does the enunciator or enunciator refer? In fact, his intention was this:
We were all sad that day, it was When I realized he was missed.
Now yes, the term “when” refers to the day (therefore, it indicates time) when everyone was sad.
See too: A or is there?
When used where?
The word "where" is formed by the union of the preposition "a" and the adverb or relative pronoun "where". Therefore, we only use this term when it is accompanied by another term that requires the preposition “a”, as is the case of the verb “to arrive” in the following example:
To where do you want to come up with that attitude?
In this way, whoever arrives, arrives somewhere: to arrive TheWhere.
Or this example:
I will to where you want.
In this sentence, the verb “ir” requires the preposition “a”; therefore, who goes, goes somewhere: I will TheWhere.
solved exercises
Question 1 - All of the following clauses present the correct use of the terms "where" and "where", except:
a) I don't know where my notebook is or where I put my pencil.
b) Don't forget that wherever you are, I will be with you.
c) The world you live in is more than special, it's fanciful.
d) I will take the money wherever you want, but only when I can.
e) In the city where I live, I don't have the security to go where I want.
Resolution
Alternative “b”. In this period, the verb “to be” does not require a preposition. Therefore, what is correct, according to the standard norm, is “where you are”, that is, the place where “you are”.
Question 2 - Authors of literary texts do not always follow grammatical norms. Not because they don't know them; but because they often prefer the more popular use of certain terms, in order to get closer to the common reader. This is what we call “poetic freedom”. Knowing this, read the following text:
D. Evarist was appalled. She went to her husband, told him “that I had a desire”, one mainly, to come to Rio de Janeiro and eat whatever seemed suitable to him for a certain purpose. But that great man, with the rare wit that distinguished him, penetrated his wife's intention and replied with a smile that he was not afraid. From there he went to the Chamber, Where councilors debated the proposal, and defended it so eloquently, that the majority decided to authorize him to he had asked, while at the same time voting a tax to subsidize the treatment, accommodation and maintenance of the insane poor.
MACHADO DE ASSIS. the alienist.
Regarding the use of the term "where" in this excerpt, it is correct to state that, according to the standard rule:
a) “where” indicates the moment when the councilors debated the proposal.
b) the use of “where” is incorrect, as the verb “was” requires the preposition “a”.
c) “where” is a relative pronoun and refers to the noun “Chamber”.
d) the use of “where” is incorrect, as it is better to use “where” or “where”.
e) in this case, instead of “where”, “when” should be used.
Resolution
Alternative “c”. “Where”, in addition to indicating a place, is a relative pronoun that refers to a previous term, that is, the “Chamber”.
Question 3 - Check the alternative where the term “where” should be replaced by “where”.
a) Where were you when your daughter was run over and nearly died?
b) In places where there is basic sanitation, the contamination rate is lower.
c) She arrived in a red car, where two passengers entered.
d) I don't know where I was thinking, because I completely forgot.
e) You cannot go wherever you want without asking your parents' permission.
Resolution
Alternative “e”. In this case, the correct thing is to say “You can't go wherever you want without asking your parents' permission”, because the verb “to go” requires the preposition “a”.
by Warley Souza
Portuguese teacher
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/gramatica/onde-ou-aonde.htm