title: Is there a way to emulate ReSharper's "extend selection" feature in Vim?
body: <p>ReSharper has a nice feature called "extend selection": by pressing <code>CTRL+W</code> (I think this is the default) repeatedly, you select more and more from your current caret location. First it's a word, then more and more words, a line, inner then outer block of lines (for example an if-block), then a function, etc...</p>
  
  <p>Basically, by pressing the key combination repeatedly, you can end up selecting the entire file. I'm sure at least some of you will be familiar with it.</p>
  
  <p>I have just started learning all the intricacies of vim and I don't have enough experience to see how something like this could be implemented in Vim (although I assume it's possible). So my question is meant for Vim gurus out there: can this be done and how?</p>
  
  <p><strong>Update:</strong> a bit of a background story. I've been talking to my ex-boss about all the benefits of Vim, and he thinks it's all great. His only question/problem was: <em>does it have "extend selection"?</em> My question so far has been <em>no</em>. So, if someone knows the answer, I'll finally win a discussion :P (and maybe create a new Vim convert<code>:-)</code>)</p>