LoginQuestions For beginners
In this lesson we learn about forming questions in English, covering basic question words like "what," "where," and "how" to seek information. Simple explanations and easy examples to understand their use.
What Are Questions?
Questions are sentences that are used to ask for an answer or information. In writing, questions usually end with a question mark.
Questions: Types
There are two major types of questions in English:
Yes/No Questions
Yes/no questions are those that need either a 'yes' or a 'no' as the answer.
Yes/No Questions: Formation
When the sentences has 'be', 'do', or 'have' as auxiliary verbs, the yes/no question is formed using the structure below:
Are you leaving?
Has he called?
Does it look okay?
If there is a modal verb in the sentence, the yes/no questions is formed using the structure below:
Modal verb + Subject + Main Verb
Can you swim?
Should I go?
If the sentence has no auxiliary or modal verbs, the auxiliary verb 'do', 'does', or 'did' is added to form questions:
Do you usually exercise?
Did you forget your keys?
If the main verb of the sentence is 'to be', the subject and the verb 'to be' change places to form a question and there is no need for an auxiliary verb. For example:
Her name is Sarah. → Is her name Sarah?
He is your brother. → Is he your brother?
How to Form Wh-Questions
If the sentence has an auxiliary verb ('be', 'do' or 'have') or a modal verb, wh- questions are formed using the structure below:
Wh- word + 'be'/'do'/'have' + subject + main verb
or
Wh- word + modal verb + subject + main verb
Where do you live?
What can I do for you?
If the sentence has no auxiliary verbs, and 'what', 'who', 'which', or 'whose' is the subject of the sentence, there us no need to use an auxiliary. The subject comes before the verb to form the question.
Who called last night?
What dropped from the tree?
Quiz:
Which of the following is not a Yes/No question?
Can you swim?
Is he a pilot?
What is your name?
Are you tired?
What is the correct structure for a Wh-question with a modal verb?
Wh-word + subject + modal verb
Wh-word + modal verb + subject + main verb
Wh-word + 'have' + subject + main verb
Wh-word + 'do' + subject + main verb
Sort the words to make a correct wh- question:
Complete the table by choosing the type of question.
| Question | Type |
|---|---|
Did he finish his homework? | |
What are you doing tomorrow? | |
Can you solve this problem? | |
Who is knocking on the door? | |
Do you know her address? | |
Why did they call you? |
Match the beginnings of the questions with their correct endings.
Fill the blanks with the correct auxiliary or modal verb or wh- word to complete the questions.
she like tea?
spoke at the meeting?
is in your bag?
you see my message last night?
he your brother?
I help you?
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