Home  Grammar  Question Words and Their Usage with

Examples

Question Words and

Their Usage with
Examples
By NARMEEN KHAN  APRIL 1, 2019  In GRAMMAR

      

Contents
6 Minutes Read

In English, Question Words are very important for asking

about things. These words include who, what, when,
where, why, and how. They help us ask different kinds of
questions. Knowing Question Words helps us find out
more in talks and when we read. This is a good start for
anyone who wants to learn how to ask questions better.
Formal and informal English book

We ask questions to find out information. A question

always has a question mark at the end.

Discover related topics

English Grammar Wh Question

Question Words Exercises

Basic Question Words Worksheet

Questions in English Grammar

Question Words Exercises Multiple

Choice

Крем-кушон 3 в 1 Venzen
Після застосування шкіра
стає гладкою та… Купити
venzenkk1.techexploration.space

There are different types of questions in the English

language. Let’s study three main kinds.
Formal and informal English book

WH Question Words
Inverted Questions:

When a sentence has a main verb, we place the helping

verb ‘do / does’ before the sentence to turn it into an
inverted question. We use ‘does’ with singular nouns and
pronouns he, she and it. We use ‘do’ with plural nouns and
pronouns I. we, you and they. In the past tense we use ‘did’
with all nouns and pronouns. In all three cases we use the
base form of the verb in such questions.

Крем-кушон 3 в 1 Venzen
Після застосування шкіра
стає гладкою та… Купити
venzenkk1.techexploration.space

Example:

Sentences with main

Question
verbs

He runs ten miles every Does he run ten miles

day. every day?

John and Thomas play foot Do John and Thomas play

Ball football?

We bought a new car last Did we buy a new car last

week. week?

When sentences have helping verbs like is, am, are, was,
were, have, has, can, could, may, will, would, etc. then we
use the same to begin the inverted questions. if a helping
verb is followed by a present participle ( verb+ing ), then it
remains the same in the question. Similarly, if a helping
verb is followed by a past participle, then it remains the
same in the question as well.

Statement Question

I am looking tall. Am I looking tall?

Mark is Tom’s neighbor. Is Mark Tom’s neighbor?

Those are my clothes. Are those my clothes?

The baby was chewing on Was the baby chewing on

a toy. a toy?

The guests were tired. Were the guests tired?

They have arrived from the Have they arrived from the
airport. airport?

The cat has eaten its food. Has the cat eaten its food?

Bob can drive a truck. Can Bob drive a truck?

We will go for a picnic Will we go for a picnic

next week. next week?

The answers to inverted questions are usually in a short

‘Yes’ or ‘no’. This is way are often also referred to as‘yes/no
question’.

Крем-кушон 3 в 1 Venzen
Після застосування шкіра
стає гладкою та… Купити
venzenkk1.techexploration.space

‘Wh’ Questions

Such questions begin with the letter ‘w,h’ or both. We can

add the ‘Wh’ question word at the beginning of inverted
questions as well.

‘WT’
Question Purpose Example

We use this to
Who is knocking
Who ask about a
at the door?
person’s identity.

We use this to What is the

What ask information capital of
about things. Turkey?

We use this to When do you go

When
ask about time. to the office?

We use this to
Where does
Where ask about
George live?
places.

We use this to Why has the

Why ask about dog scratched
reasons. the sofa?

We use this to Which dress do

Which
ask about choice. you like better?

How was the

weather in
We use this to London?
find out How is your
information in mother?
How
general or about
processes or How do you
feelings. make chicken
roast?

How tall is the

We use this to
building?
ask about the
How + Adjective How deep is the
quality of a
pool?
person or thing.

We use these to
ask about
quantities. How much rice is
We use ‘How left in the pot?
How much / much’ with How many
How many uncountable people came to
nouns and ’How the party?
many’ with
plural nouns.

Some more examples:

Крем-кушон 3 в 1 Venzen
Після застосування шкіра
стає гладкою та… Купити
venzenkk1.techexploration.space

Do you go to the library regularly?

How does this machine work?

Is there any jam Left in the bottle?

Are we going to Thailand for the holidays?

Have the children finished their homework?

Could you call me after an hour?

Would you please help me with the decoration?

Who is that tall man standing next to Jacob?

Why is the mall so crowded today?

How much oil should I pour in the pan?

How cold is winter in Siberia?

Has the plumber finished his work?

Did you clean your room?

Does David play baseball?

Which toy is yours?

Was the gate open when you walked in?

How many flowers arc there in the vase?

Were there any clowns at the party?

Where have you hidden my watch?

When will the train leave?

Tag Questions

A tag question is a statement that has a tag at the end. It’s

actually the tag that makes the statement a question.
Therefore, the statement + the tag are together called a tag
question. The tags at the end of the statements are usually
used in contracted forms. Like inverted questions, the
answers to tag questions are also in a short ‘yes’ or‘no’. We
ask tag questions for reassurance or further confirmation
about someone or something.

Rules of making Tag Questions

If the statement is positive, then the tag is negative.

If the statement is negative, then the tag is positive.

If the statement has a helping verb, then we use the

same in the tag.

If the statement has a main verb, then we use the

words do, does, and did in the tag (depending on the
tense of the statement and the use of pronoun — as
explained in 1a).

Whichever pronoun is used in the statement is repeated

in the tag.

Example:

Roger is an engineer, isn’t he?

Donna has seen this film before, hasn’t she?

You were sick last week, weren’t you?

His Dad works at the museum, doesn’t he?

They will visit us tomorrow, won’t they?

George was digging a hole, wasn’t he?

Cathy and William live on Pine Street, don’t they?

We have eaten at this restaurant, haven’t we?

You are studying geography, aren’t you?

Betty can play the guitar, can’t she?

Wendy was not working on a book, was she?

They have not traveled abroad, have they?

Questions Words | Useful Wh Questions Rules with Examples

FAQs
1. What are question words and their usage?
Question words help us ask questions and get information.
Here’s an easy guide:
Who – To ask about a person.
Example: Who is your friend?
What – To ask about things.
Example: What is this?
When – To ask about time.
Example: When is the party?
Where – To ask about a place.
Example: Where are you going?
Why – To ask about a reason.
Example: Why are you sad?
Which – To ask about choices.
Example: Which color do you like?
How – To ask about ways or conditions.
Example: How do you make this?
Whose – To ask about ownership.
Example: Whose book is this?
These words make it easy to ask for the exact information
you need!

2. What are Wh question words with answers?

Here are some Wh-question words with answers:
Who – Asks about a person.
Question: Who is your teacher?
Answer: My teacher is Mrs. Smith.
What – Asks about things or information.
Question: What is your favorite fruit?
Answer: My favorite fruit is mango.
When – Asks about time.
Question: When is your birthday?
Answer: My birthday is on June 10th.
Where – Asks about a place.
Question: Where do you live?
Answer: I live in New York.
Why – Asks about a reason.
Question: Why are you late?
Answer: I missed the bus.
Which – Asks about a choice.
Question: Which color do you like?
Answer: I like blue.
How – Asks about the way something is done.
Question: How do you bake a cake?
Answer: I mix the ingredients and bake it in the oven.
Whose – Asks about ownership.
Question: Whose bag is this?
Answer: This is my sister’s bag.
These show how Wh-questions are used with simple
answers!

You May Also Like

Worksheet Question Tags

Question Tags

Question Formation Exercises with Answers

Wh Questions Exercises with Answers

How to Use WH Words with Ever in English

TAGS: HOW TO FORM QUESTIONS IN ENGLISH

QUESTION TAG RULES TABLE
QUESTION TAGS WITH ANSWERS
QUESTION WORDS
TYPES OF QUESTIONS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE

 Facebook  Pinterest 

MUST READ

Capitalization Rules:
From Proper Nouns to
Titles and Beyond

Action Verbs in
English Grammar:
Types, Examples and
Uses

Opposite Adjectives in
English – A
Comprehensive List

Relative Adverbs

Verbal Nouns

Previous article Next article

Prepositions | Determiners
Definition and and Its Types
Rules with
Example

RELATED ARTICLES

Linking Words in English with

Examples

Will and Be Going To with Examples

Complex Prepositions in English

with Examples

Connectors in English with

Examples
Subjunctive Mood in English with
Examples

Concrete Nouns in English with

Examples

STAY IN TOUCH
Please subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest
news in your domain of interest. Don't forget to
follow us on social networks!

   

Email address

SEND e

Englishan
Tenses Chart With Examples, Rules, Usage

Linking Words in English with Examples

Present Tenses With Examples, Rules, Usage

Modals Verbs Exercises with Answers in English

500 New Good Morning Images, Wishes, Status, Quotes

Past Tenses With Examples, Rules, Usage

Will and Be Going To with Examples

Past Perfect Continuous Tense With Examples, Rules,

Usage

Future Tenses With Examples, Rules, Usage

Learn 200 Common Action Verbs for Quick Understanding

English WhatsApp Group Links 2024 » ALL ACTIVE

Wh Questions Exercises with Answers

Complex Prepositions in English with Examples

Bicycle Parts Names: A Simple to Advanced Visual Guide

9 Types of Face Shapes

Home

Grammar 

Vocabulary 

English Composition 

Worksheets 

Contact

© Englishan | All Rights Reserved 2025

7 днів знижок