Wh- questions, also known as “information questions,” are questions that begin with wh-words. These words include “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how.” Wh-questions are used to gather specific information about a person, thing, place, time, reason, or method. They require more than a simple “yes” or “no” answer and typically seek details or explanations.
Wh-questions usually follow this structure: wh-word + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb. However, the exact structure may vary depending on the tense and the type of sentence.
Let’s take a closer look at each type of wh-question:
Table of Contents
1. Who – Asking about People
“Who” is used when you want to know the identity of a person or group of people involved in an action or situation. For example:
- Who is your best friend?
- Who is singing in the choir?
2. What – Asking about Things
“What” is used when you want to know information about an object, an event, or an action. For example:
- What is your favorite color?
- What time does the movie start?
3. Where – Asking about Places
“Where” is used to inquire about the location or position of a person, thing, or place. For example:
- Where is the nearest post office?
- Where did you go for your vacation?
4. When – Asking about Time
“When” is used to ask about a specific time or duration of an event or action. For example:
- When is your birthday?
- When did you start learning English?
5. Why – Asking about Reasons
“Why” is used to inquire about the reasons, causes, or motivations behind something. For example:
- Why are you studying English?
- Why did she leave the party early?
6. How – Asking about Manner or Method
“How” is used when you want to know the way something is done or the manner in which an action occurs. For example:
- How do you cook pasta?
- How did you solve the math problem?
7. FAQs about Wh- questions
Wh-questions help us gather specific information, details, and explanations about people, things, places, times, reasons, or methods.
No, wh- questions require more than a simple “yes” or “no” answer. They seek specific details or explanations.
Yes, most wh- questions require auxiliary verbs to form the proper structure.
Yes, apart from wh-words, some questions can start with “do,” “does,” or “did” in certain situations.
Certainly! Here are a few examples:
- Present simple: What does she do for a living?
- Past simple: Where did they go last summer?
- Present continuous: Why are you studying so hard?
- Future: When will the train arrive?
To practice using wh- questions, try asking and answering questions about various topics. You can also engage in conversations or language exchange activities with native English speakers.
