dondequiera que/comoquiera que + Subjunctive

Wherever/However

Level 4

For no matter where or no matter how, use dondequiera que or comoquiera que with the subjunctive. Do not apply that mood rule to every use of these expressions.

How It Works

These expressions are used to make generalizations, indicating that the specific location or method is not important. The non-specific readings taught here commonly use the subjunctive.

1. Dondequiera que + Subjunctive (Wherever)
This structure is used to say that something is true or will happen in any place, without exception. It means "no matter where."

  • Dondequiera que vayas, yo iré contigo. (Wherever you go, I will go with you.)
  • Encontraré un buen restaurante, dondequiera que estemos. (I will find a good restaurant, wherever we are.)

2. Comoquiera que + Subjunctive (However)
This structure is used to say that something is true or will happen regardless of the way it's done. It means "no matter how."

  • Comoquiera que lo prepares, el plato estará delicioso. (However you prepare it, the dish will be delicious.)
  • Comoquiera que intentes resolverlo, el problema seguirá existiendo. (However you try to solve it, the problem will still exist.)

Note on Formality:
These expressions can sound somewhat formal or literary. In everyday conversation, alternatives include donde sea or como sea, with wording adjusted to the sentence. A concession can also be expressed with aunque, but this requires a different clause structure and may change the meaning.

  • Formal: Dondequiera que vayas...
  • Colloquial: Vayas adonde vayas...

Other Readings And Tenses
Actual habitual situations can take the indicative: Dondequiera que íbamos, encontrábamos amigos (Wherever we went, we found friends). Causal comoquiera que means since or given that: Comoquiera que no había trenes, volvimos en autobús (Since there were no trains, we returned by bus). This is different from however.

The subjunctive is not limited to the present: Dondequiera que estuvieras, te ayudaría uses the imperfect subjunctive. Write dondequiera and comoquiera as single words in these uses; donde quiera and como quiera can instead mean where or how someone wants.

Examples (5)

  1. Dondequiera que vayas, encontrarás gente amable.

    Wherever you go, you will find kind people.

    Word by Word: Wherever that you-may-go, you-will-find kind people.

  2. Él siempre dice la verdad, dondequiera que esté.

    He always tells the truth, wherever he is.

    Word by Word: He always says the truth, wherever that he-may-be.

  3. Comoquiera que lo mires, la situación es complicada.

    However you look at it, the situation is complicated.

    Word by Word: However that it you-may-look, the situation is complicated.

  4. Debemos terminar el proyecto, comoquiera que sea.

    We must finish the project, whatever the circumstances.

    Word by Word: We-must finish the project, however that it-may-be.

    Comoquiera que sea here means in any case or be that as it may. It is a formal concessive expression, not necessarily a literal description of how the project is finished.

  5. Dondequiera que pongan la tienda, tendrá éxito.

    Wherever they put the store, it will be successful.

    Word by Word: Wherever that they-may-put the store, it-will-have success.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.

    Dondequiera que vas, te seguiré.
    Dondequiera que vayas, te seguiré.

    For the intended open future possibility with te seguiré, use vayas. Indicative forms can occur with dondequiera que in factual or habitual readings, so the error is a mismatch with this intended meaning, not an absolute ban on the indicative.

  • Omitting the word 'que'.

    Comoquiera lo hagas, hazlo bien.
    Comoquiera que lo hagas, hazlo bien.

    The word 'que' is a necessary part of the conjunction. While 'dondequiera' can be used alone as an adverb meaning 'anywhere', to connect it to a verb clause (like 'hagas'), you must use the full form 'dondequiera que' or 'comoquiera que'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

dondequiera que/comoquiera que + SubjunctiveLevel 4Wherever/However

Learn This First

To learn 'dondequiera que' and 'comoquiera que', you must first be comfortable with the present subjunctive conjugations, as these expressions always trigger the subjunctive when referring to indefinite or non-specific circumstances. Additionally, familiarity with basic question words and similar indefinite constructions like 'cualquiera' provides the necessary semantic and structural foundation.

Words in This Pattern

dondequieracomoquiera