LoginInterrogative Adverbs
Dive deep into the rules and nuances of interrogative adverbs like 'how', 'when', 'where', and 'why'. Detailed explanations, advanced exercises, and a quiz to test your understanding.
What Are Interrogative Adverbs?
Interrogative adverbs are words such as 'how, why, when, where' that are used to ask a question about a particular aspect of a sentence such as time, place, frequency, or manner. These adverbs are often placed at the beginning of a question, and they are used to elicit specific information from the listener or reader.
Interrogative Adverbs: Types
Based on what kind of information an interrogative adverb inquires about, they are categorized into four main groups:
interrogative adverbs of time
interrogative adverbs of place
interrogative adverbs of reason
interrogative adverbs of manner
Interrogative Adverbs of Time
The interrogative adverbs of time are words that demand time-related information and ask how long, how often, or in which exact time something takes place. Here are a few examples:
When did you get up today?
How long have you been traveling?
Here is a list of interrogative adverbs of time:
Whenever shall we get there?
Interrogative Adverbs of Place
Interrogative adverbs of place ask about the location or place of something. One of the most commonly used interrogative adverbs of place is 'where'. Let us take a look at the examples:
Where were you on holidays?
Where did you get your degree?
Here is a list of interrogative adverbs of place:
Whence does the Parliament derive this power?
Whereabouts do you live?
Wherein lies the difference between conservatism and liberalism?
Interrogative Adverbs of Reason
The interrogative adverb 'why' is used when you want an explanation or reason for something. It is commonly used to ask questions about the cause or motivation behind an action or event. Here are a few examples:
Why is he here?
Why did you get fired?
Here is a list of interrogative adverbs of reason:
Wherefore
Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Interrogative Adverb of Manner
The interrogative adverb of manner is the word 'how' which is commonly used to ask questions about the method, process, or means by which an action is performed. Check the examples:
How did you escape?
How did you make this delicious cake?
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. Here are a few examples:
What color is your car? → interrogative determiner
Where is your car? → interrogative adverb
Interrogative Adverbs vs. Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are used to ask about people, things, and places, while interrogative adverbs are used to ask about aspects such as place, time, manner, and reason. The only interrogative that can function as both a pronoun and an adverb is 'where', which is commonly used to ask about location or place. Pay attention to the examples:
Where are the keys? → interrogative adverb and pronoun
When is your birthday? → interrogative adverb
Who is your mother? → interrogative pronoun
Using Interrogative Adverbs in Indirect Questions
There are two kinds of indirect questions in English:
a question in a statement
a question in a question
A Question in a Statement
To turn a statement into a question, you can use a declarative sentence with an interrogative adverb placed at the beginning. The verb 'ask' is then used to introduce the question itself. In this case, there is a period at the end of the sentence. Here are a few examples:
She asked why you left the house.
My mother asked where your house is.
A Question in a Question
When we use a declarative clause starting with an interrogative adverb to form a yes/no question, we are creating an indirect question within a direct question. In this case, a question mark is used at the end of the sentence to indicate that it is a question. Here are the examples:
Did she know when the party started?
Did he ask why we are here?
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 such as know, wonder, ask, suppose, etc. Check out the examples:
I know why you are sad.
He wondered when she leaves the house.
Questions with Interrogative Adverbs
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:
Why did you change the subject?
How quickly did you finish the project?
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
Quiz:
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
Match the sentence to the type of interrogative adverb used in it.
Complete each question using the correct interrogative adverb. (One option is used twice.)
is the nearest gas station?
long will the concert last?
did the meeting end early?
did you arrive at school today?
Can you explain
the machine works?
Which of these is an indirect question using an interrogative adverb?
Where is the library?
She said the library is nearby.
Are you going to the library?
She asked where the library was.
Read each question and identify whether an interrogative determiner (D), pronoun (P), or adverb (A) is used in it.
What time does the movie start? | |
Where did you put the keys? | |
Which book should I read? | |
When does the store close? | |
Who is your favorite teacher? | |
What made you choose this? |
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