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Questions 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.

interrogativesquestion markquestions
"Questions" in English Grammar

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:

'Be'/'Have'/'Do' + Subject + Main Verb

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?

Wh-Questions

'Wh-questions' are formed using 'wh-words', like 'what', 'when', 'where', 'who', etc. these questions are used to ask for information. They can not be answered with 'yes' or 'no'.

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:

1.
Which sentence is a correct Yes/No question?
A
Where do you like pizza?
B
Do you like pizza?
C
What pizza do you like?
D
Who likes pizza?
2.
What is the correct structure for a Yes/No question for the sentence "You can swim"?
A
Can you swim?
B
Can swim you?
C
You can swim?
D
Swim can you?
3.
Sort the words to form a Wh- question.
going
to
?
are
when
italy
you
4.
Match each sentence with the correct type of question.
Can you help me with my homework?
Where did you go last night?
Do you like chocolate?
What should we do?
Who came to the party?
Is he a teacher?
Wh-Question with auxiliary verb
Yes-No Question with "to be" as the main verb
Yes/No Question with modal verb
Yes/No Question with auxiliary verb
Wh-Question with modal verb
Wh-Question without auxiliary or modal
5.
Fill in the blank with the correct auxiliary, modal, or wh- word.
you like ice cream?
is your favorite color?
did you call last night?
she like to read books?
he finish his homework before going to bed?
you going to school?
do
what
who
does
did
are
is

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