Learn forming questions in English with example using who, what, where, when, why, whose, whom, which and how. Also check test exercise.

1. Spoken English
Asking Questions in English
by
Ash Vyas

2. Asking Question in English
There are 6 question words in English which are used to ask a question. They are
also known as WH Questions.
Who Where When
What Why How
Which Whom Whose

3. Structure / Syntax:
(Question Word) + (Auxiliary/Modal) + Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ?
Note:
Question may or may not have question word or object. So the question formats
can be:
Question Word+ Auxiliary/modal + Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ? or
Question Word+ Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ? or
Auxiliary/Modal + Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ?

4. WHo
Usage: used to ask about people
Structure: Who + (Auxiliary) + Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ?
Examples:
•Who is the manager?
•Who does he follow online?
•Who enjoys playing tennis?

5. WHere
Usage: used to ask about place
Structure: Where + Auxiliary + Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ?
Examples:
Where do they live?
Where is your office?
Where is she swimming?

6. WHen
Usage: used to ask about time
Structure: When + Auxiliary + Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ?
Examples:
•When do you finish this project?
•When are you leaving?
•When did you visit that museum?

7. WHat
Usage: is used to ask about objects
Structure: What + (Auxiliary) + Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ?
Examples:
What do you like the most?
What will I talk to her about?
What happened to her?

8. WHy
Usage: used to ask about reason
Structure: Why + Auxiliary + Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ?
Examples:
Why didn’t you call me?
Why do you like your job?
Why is she going?

9. WHose
Usage: used to talk about ownership
Structure: Whose + Subject + (Auxiliary) + Verb Form + (objects) + ?
Examples:
Whose book is this?
Whose car is blocking the drive?
Whose keys were those?

10. WHom
Usage: to ask which person received an action.
Structure: Whom + Auxiliary + Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ?
Examples:
Whom are you going to ask to join in this project?
Whom did they choose as a new manager?
Whom did they elect as new coach?

11. WHich
Usage: used to ask for preferred option (or selection) from available options
Structure: Which + (Auxiliary) + Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ?
Examples:
Which are the best varieties of grapes for long keeping?
Which bicycle goes fast?
Which will be your chair?

12. HoW
Usage: used to ask about description or manner of doing something or time it will
take to finish.
Structure: How + Auxiliary + Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ?
Examples:
How are you feeling?
How much does it cost?
How long will it take? [time to finish]

13. Questions with Modal verbs
There can be questions which use modal verbs that ‘wh questions or auxiliaries’.
For that refer modal verb session here: http://bit.ly/2yGdvP4
Examples:
Can you lift this cylinder?
May I come in?
Would you share that to us?

14. Simple Present Question Examples:
Image credit: espressoenglish

15. Simple Past Question Examples:
Image credit: espressoenglish

16. Present Continuous Question Examples:
Image credit: espressoenglish

17. WH + Modal Question Examples:
Image credit: espressoenglish

18. Questions with Auxiliary; without WH
•Do you like bananas?
•Did you enjoy the movie?
•Are you studying English?
•Were you sleeping when I called you last night?
•Have you finished your homework?
•Will you call me when you get home?
•Are you going to accept the job offer?
•Should we take the early morning flight?
Image credit: espressoenglish

19. Questions with To be Verb; without WH
•Are you thirsty?
•Is she a teacher?
•Were your parents angry when you failed the test?
•Was her ex-boyfriend a basketball player?
•Will he come?
•Will we visit that part of the city this week?

20. Exercise and Examples:
Jane opened the door. ........ opened the door?
Tom helped in the garden. …… helped in the garden?
They greet their teacher. …… do they greet?
He asked Mary about the burglary. ……. did they ask about the burglary?
His ankle hurts. ……. hurts?
The flower pot fell on the floor. ……. fell on the floor?

21. Exercise and Examples:
I saw her yesterday. ..................did you see her?
They came home at midnight. ..................did they come home?
I saw her yesterday. .................. did you see her?
They came home at midnight. .................. did they come home?
We should take the bus to the center. ………… bus should we take to get to the
center

22. Any Questions?
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