(How To Make Questions) WH-questions
WH-questions are questions that begin with question words like "what," "where," "when," etc., and are used to get specific information, not just “yes” or “no” answers.
What
To ask about things, actions, or information in general.
Structure: What + helping verb + subject + main verb...?
Examples:
- What is your name?
- What are you doing?
- What do you want to eat?
Where
To ask about a place or location.
Structure: Where + helping verb + subject + main verb...?
Examples:
- Where do you live?
- Where is the book?
- Where are they going?
When
To ask about a time or date.
Structure: When + helping verb + subject + main verb...?
Examples:
- When is your birthday?
- When will the movie start?
- When did you come home?
Why
To ask about a reason or cause.
Structure: Why + helping verb + subject + main verb...?
Examples:
- Why are you late?
- Why did she cry?
- Why do you want to learn English?
Who
To ask about people.
Structure: Who + verb...?
Examples:
- Who is your teacher?
- Who called you?
- Who are they talking about?
How
To ask about the manner, method, condition, or quantity.
Structure: How + helping verb + subject + main verb...?
Examples:
- How are you?
- How does it work?
- How did you solve the problem?
Variations of "How"
"How" can be combined with other words to ask more specific questions.
| Variant | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| How much | For uncountable things | How much money do you need? |
| How many | For countable things | How many books do you have? |
| How often | For frequency | How often do you exercise? |
| How far | For distance | How far is your office? |
Key Takeaways
- WH-questions are used to ask for specific information, not just a "yes" or "no" answer.
- Each WH-word (what, where, when, why, who, how) serves a different purpose.
- Mastering these question words is fundamental for having meaningful conversations.
- Practice by forming your own questions about everyday situations.