Japanese - Ask questions thread

Basically if you have a question about the language, ask it and fellow 4channers might see it and answer it for you.

To start it off. When an animate object (iru) dies, is it considered inanimate(aru)?

Where can I learn about what word forms to use when creating sentences? All I know is like how to end them, but I noticed sometimes I'll see dictionary forms in middle of sentences or polite stem, and I can read it and understand it but I sure as hell don't know how to use anything