Interrogative Adverbs
Interrogative adverbs are words such as 'why' and 'where' that are used to ask questions. In this lesson, we will learn more about them.
What Are Interrogative Adverbs?
Why Do We Use Interrogative Adverbs?
Interrogative Adverbs: Types
Based on what kind of information an interrogative adverb is looking for, they are categorized into four main groups:
- interrogative adverbs of time
- interrogative adverbs of place
- interrogative adverbs of reason
- interrogative adverbs of manner
Interrogative Adverb of Time
The interrogative adverbs of time are the terms 'when, how long, how often' in English. They demand time-related information and ask how long, how often, or in which exact time something takes place. Here are a few examples:
Here is a list of interrogative adverbs of time:
- When
- Whenever
- How long
- How often
Interrogative Adverb of Place
The interrogative adverbs of place ask about the location or place of something. The interrogative adverb of place is the term 'where'. Let us take a look at the examples:
Here is a list of interrogative adverbs of place:
- Where
- Wherever
- Wheresoever
- Whence
- Whereabouts
- Wherein
- Whereto
Interrogative Adverb of Reason
When you need an explanation about something or when you want to know the reason, you can use the interrogative adverb of reason which is the word 'why.' Here are a few examples:
Here is a list of interrogative adverbs of reason:
- Why
- Wherefore
Interrogative Adverb of Manner
The interrogative adverb of manner is the term 'how' which is used to ask about the manner, degree, instrument, or amount in which something is happened or done. Check these examples to help you learn it better:
Interrogative Determiners vs. Interrogative Adverbs
Interrogative determiners modify a noun, and they are followed immediately by a noun; but interrogative adverbs are used alone and do not modify a noun. Interrogative adverbs are used to ask questions. Here are a few examples:
"when" is an interrogative adverb of time
Interrogative Adverbs vs. Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are used to ask about people, nouns, and places, but interrogative adverbs are used to ask about places, time, manner, and reason.
So the only mutual interrogative is the term 'where' which is used to ask about the place. Here are the examples:
Using Interrogative Adverbs in Indirect Questions
There are two kinds of indirect questions in English as follows:
- a question in a statement
- a question in a question
A Question in a Statement:
To ask a question in a statement all you have to do is to use a declarative sentence starting with an interrogative adverb that follows the verb ask.
In this case, there is a period at the end of the sentence. Here are a few examples that can help you learn them better:
She asked
My mother asked
A Question in a Question
When we use a declarative clause starting with interrogative adverbs in a yes/no question we are using an indirect question in a direct question. In this case, we use a question mark at the end of the indirect question. Here are the examples:
Did she know
Did he ask
Head of a Noun Clause
An interrogative adverb can also be used as the head of a nominal clause which is used as the object of a transitive verb.
These transitive verbs are verbs such as know, wonder, ask, suppose, etc. Check out the examples:
I know
He wondered
Questions with Interrogative Adverbs
Interrogative adverbs are used to ask questions. To make direct questions with interrogative adverbs all you have to do is to use an auxiliary after the interrogative adverb. In other words, a yes/no question follows the interrogative adverb to form a wh-question. Look at some examples:
Review
Interrogative adverbs are wh-words that are used to ask questions. Here are the interrogative adverbs on the list:
- when
- why
- how
- where
Interrogative adverbs are used to ask questions about:
- time
- place
- reasons
- manner
- degree
- quantity (amount) and quality
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