Questions (wh)
Beginner (A1)en
Wh- questions (what, where, when)
WH Questions
1. What Are WH Questions?
WH questions are questions that begin with words like who, what, where, when, why, which, and how.
They help us ask for specific information, not just “yes” or “no.” Learning WH questions helps you talk about people, places, things, and actions.
2. Common WH Question Words
Who – asks about a person
- Example: “Who is your teacher?” → “My teacher is Ruth.”
What – asks about a thing or an action
- Example: “What is your favorite color?” → “My favorite color is blue.”
Where – asks about a place
- Example: “Where do you live?” → “I live in London.”
When – asks about time
- Example: “When is your birthday?” → “My birthday is in May.”
Why – asks about reason
- Example: “Why are you tired?” → “I am tired because I worked a lot.”
Which – asks to choose from options
- Example: “Which shirt do you want?” → “I want the red shirt.”
How – asks about manner, condition, or quantity
- Example: “How are you?” → “I am fine.”
- Example: “How much is this?” → “It is five dollars.”
3. How to Make WH Questions
WH questions usually follow a clear structure. The structure depends on which verb you are using and what the WH word is doing in the sentence.
3.1. WH questions with the auxiliary/helping verb "do" and "does"
Use this structure when the WH word is NOT the subject of the sentence.
Structure:
WH word → do/does → subject → main verb → rest of sentence?
Examples with the verb “do/does”:
- “What do you eat for breakfast?”
- “Where does she live?”
- “When do they go to school?”
Important tips:
- Use does for he, she, it
- Use do for I, you, we, they
- Notice: The main verb is without -s after does!
Correct: “Where does he live?”
Incorrect: “Where does he lives?”
3.2. WH questions with the verb “be”
When the main verb is be (am / is / are), the structure is different.
Structure:
WH word → be → subject → rest of sentence?
Examples with the verb "be":
When the main verb is be (am / is / are), the structure is different.
Structure:
WH word → be → subject → rest of sentence?
Examples with the verb "be":
- “Who is your teacher?”
- “Where is the bus?”
- “How are you?”
Important tip:
No do/does is needed with the verb be.
3.3. WH Questions When the WH Word Is the Subject (Very Important!)
Sometimes, the WH word itself is the subject of the sentence.
This means the WH word does the action.
This means the WH word does the action.
When this happens:
- Do NOT use do / does
- Do NOT change the word order
- Use the verb directly after the WH word
Structure:
WH word (subject) → verb → rest of sentence
Examples:
WH word (subject) → verb → rest of sentence
Examples:
- “Who called you?”
- “Who lives here?”
- “What happened?”
- “What makes you happy?”
In these questions:
- Who / what = the subject
- The WH word replaces he / she / it
3.4. Compare: WH Word as Subject vs Object
This comparison helps you see the difference clearly.
WH word as SUBJECT (no do / does):
- “Who eats pizza?”
- “Who likes ice cream?”
- “What makes that noise?”
- “Who reads books?”
WH word as OBJECT (use do / does):
- “Who do you know in this town?”
- “What do you need?”
- “What does he drink in the morning?”
- “Where does she work?”
4. Short Answers with WH Questions
After asking a WH question, the answer gives specific information.
- Q: “Where do you live?”
→ A: “I live in London.”
- Q: “Who is your friend?”
→ A: “My friend is Ruth.”
- Q: “What do you eat for breakfast?”
→ A: “I eat bread and eggs.”
5. Common Mistakes:
x “Where you live?” → missing do
✓ “Where do you live?”
x “What she likes?” → missing does
✓ “What does she like?”
x “Who your teacher?” → missing is
✓ “Who is your teacher?”
Practice Exercises
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Wh- questions (what, where, when)
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Related Vocabulary
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Wh- questions (what, where, when)
A1Wh-word Questions
7 wordswhat
pronoun
Used to ask for information about something.
What is your name?
where
when
adverb
At what time; at or during the time that.
When will you arrive?
who
pronoun
Used to refer to a person or people that are already mentioned or known.
Who is coming to the party tonight?
how
adverb
In what way or manner; by what means.
How do you solve this problem?
why
adverb
Used to ask for a reason or explanation.
Why did you choose that book?