Questions
In English, there are different types of questions. In this lesson, you will get to know them briefly and see some examples for each type. Are you ready?
What Is Considered a Question?
Everything we say or write that needs an answer is called a question. In writing, questions are usually followed by a question mark.
In technical terms, we call questions 'interrogatives' in grammar.
Types of Questions
There are many types of questions in the English language. Here are some of the different types of questions in English:
- Close-Set Questions
- Open-Set Questions
- Null Questions
Close-Set Questions
Close-set questions (also called invariable questions or polar questions) require a limited (or closed) number of answers. They are further categorized into three groups:
- yes/no questions
- alternative questions
- tag questions
Yes/No Questions
Yes/No questions are the most basic type of questions in English grammar. We can only answer these types of questions by 'Yes' or 'No.' However, we can sometimes (but not always) add a longer answer to them.
Alternative Questions
Alternative (also called choice) questions ask the listener to choose between two or more options. These options are linked to each other by the conjunction 'or.'
Do you prefer to wake up early
Did Mike eat spaghettis
The question could be a yes/no question or could be an alternative question. There are two possible ways to answer this question: 'Yes, he did/No, he did not'. Or either of the choices 'spaghettis' or 'pizza'.
Tag Questions
Tag (also called disjunctive) questions can transform a statement into a yes-no question. Normally, the tag questions contain an affirmative main clause and a negative tag, or a negative main clause and an affirmative tag.
Myra makes the best chocolate cake,
He's not a very good friend,
Open-Set Questions
Open-set questions (also called variable questions or non-polar questions) require many possible answers. There are no limits to the possible answers given to these types of questions. They are further categorized into two groups:
- 'Wh' Questions
- Embedded Questions
'Wh' Questions
Embedded Questions
Indirect (also called embedded) questions are the types of questions that are not asked directly. Instead, they are embedded within another sentence or question. An embedded question is a subordinate clause rather than the main clause of the sentence.
Can you tell me where he plays tennis?
Do you know what time it is?
I'm not sure which way is the correct way home.
Pro-Sentences
In informal or spoken English, sometimes we ask two questions together. The first question is kind of an introduction for the listener. They tend to make the first question less direct. The second question is a pro-sentence, because it is a single word that acts as a whole sentence.
What are you making?
What are we playing tonight?
Wh words + Prepositions
Especially in spoken English, when the speaker(s) and the listener(s) know the context of the conversation, people often shorten the wh-questions in conversation:
'I've decided to work part-time.' '
'I'm going out.' '
(Who are you going out with?)
an example of an alternative question
Null Questions
Null Questions are the type of question that do not require an answer. They are either for a sarcastic context or for expressing surprise or wonder. They are further categorized into four groups:
- Rhetorical Questions
- Statement Questions
- Echo Questions
- Polite Requests
Rhetorical Questions
Rhetorical questions do not require any answers. They are merely used as expressions or reactions to persuade the listener or to produce the desired effect on them.
Duh... Is the sky blue?!
Do you want to be a failure for the rest of your life?
Can't you do anything right?
Statement Questions
Statement questions are declarative sentences (statements) that are used to ask yes/no questions. These sentences have a different intonation when used as a statement or as a question.
Jackson
He
Echo Questions
Usually, echo (also called checking) questions are statements with a wh-word at the end.
When we do not understand what we have just heard or when we want to confirm what we have heard, we use echo questions.
'Paul's getting married again.' 'Paul's getting married again?!'
'He's moving to Rome'. 'He's moving to Rome?'
Negative Questions
A negative question usually starts with negative contracted or uncontracted verbs. Contracted and uncontracted negative questions have different word order.
Didn't you see Brian at the party?
Aren't you coming? or Are you not coming?
Negative questions are ordered in such a way that require a 'no' response for an affirmative answer and a 'yes' response for a negative answer.
Intonation of Questions
When you want to express a question verbally, notice that questions have a particular type of intonation that tells the listener that you are expecting a response.
Review
Questions are interrogative sentences that are used to ask for information about things, people, etc. Here are different kinds of questions:
| Yes/No questions | Are you having fun? |
|---|---|
| wh questions | Where are you from? |
| Alternative questions | Do you travel tomorrow or next Monday? |
| Indirect questions | Do you know where they are? |
| Rhetorical questions | Why am I dating you? |
| Statement questions | He is cheating on you? |
| Two-step questions | Which one is better? Working or studying? |
| Follow-up questions | Take a look at this hat! Which one? |
| Echo questions | 'Mira is in the China' 'Mira is in China?' |
| Negative questions | Don't you come? |
| Tag questions | She is fabulous, isn't she? |
Comments
