To have a good conversation, you need to ask questions! Question words (also called Wh- questions) are the keys that unlock specific information. They are the most important tools for getting to know people and understanding the world around you. ❓
Function & Usage
We use these words at the beginning of a sentence to ask for a specific type of information. Each word has a special job.
- What: Asks for information about a thing or object. (What is that?)
- Who: Asks for information about a person. (Who is your teacher?)
- Where: Asks for information about a place. (Where is the bathroom?)
- When: Asks for information about a time. (When is the meeting?)
- Why: Asks for a reason. (Why are you late?)
- How: Asks about the way something is done. (How do you cook this?)
The Structure (Form)
The most common structure for Wh- questions is simple. Notice how the sentence changes after the question word.
| Question Word | Auxiliary Verb (be/do) | Subject | Main Verb/Rest of Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| What | is | your name | ? |
| Where | do | you | live? |
| When | does | the train | leave? |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect Word Order: The auxiliary verb (like ‘do’ or ‘is’) must come before the subject. Incorrect: “Where you live?” Correct: “Where do you live?”
- Using the Wrong Question Word: Make sure the word matches the information you want. Incorrect: “Who is your birthday?” (You want to know the time). Correct: “When is your birthday?”
Let’s see it in action! 🎬
Person A: Hello! What is your name?
Person B: My name is Carlos. Where are you from?
Person A: I’m from Canada.
Person A: When does the party start?
Person B: It starts at 8 PM. Who is coming?
Person A: All of our friends from class!
Boss: Why were you late this morning?
Employee: I missed the bus.
Boss: I see. How will you get home?
Check Your Understanding! ✅
1. (Asks about a place) do you work?
2. (Asks about a person) is that man?
3. (Asks about a time) is your English class?
4. (Asks about a thing) is your favorite food?
5. (Asks for a reason) are you studying English?
6. ___ old are you?
7. ___ is the capital of France?
8. ___ did you go on vacation?
9. ___ is your best friend?
10. ___ didn’t you come to the party?
