In this chapter
You already know how to ask questions that have a yes or no answer: Are you ready? Do you like tea? Can you swim? But conversations need more than yes and no. To find out a name, a place, a time or a reason, you need question words.
This last chapter brings the whole book together. The question word goes at the start, and then you use the word order you already know from be, do/does and can. By the end, you will be able to ask — and answer — the questions of any first conversation.
Learning objectives
By the end of this chapter
- I can use what, where, who, when, why, how and which.
- I can put the question word first and use the right word order.
- I can ask How old…? How many…? How much…?
- I can answer wh- questions with information, and answer why with because.
What, where, who, when, why, how, which
Question words ask for information. They always come at the start of the question.
| Question word | Asks about… | Example |
|---|---|---|
| what | a thing or an action | What is your name? |
| where | a place | Where do you live? |
| who | a person | Who is that? |
| when | a time | When is your birthday? |
| why | a reason | Why are you sad? |
| how | the way, or how someone is | How are you? |
| which | a choice | Which colour do you like? |
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What ( question word ) is ( verb ) your name? ( subject )
-
Who ( question word ) is ( verb ) that? ( subject )
-
When ( question word ) is ( verb ) your birthday? ( subject )
-
Why ( question word ) are ( verb ) you ( subject ) sad? ( complement )
Quick check___ do you live?
Word order with be, do and can
After the question word, use the same order as a yes/no question: be , do / does or can comes before the subject.
| Verb | Order | Example |
|---|---|---|
| be | question word + am / is / are + subject | Where is the station? |
| other verbs | question word + do / does + subject + base verb | Where do you work? |
| can | question word + can + subject + base verb | What can you see? |
The pattern
Question word + do / does + subject + base verb…?
Where do you work? What does she eat?
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Where ( question word ) do ( helper verb ) you ( subject ) work? ( verb )
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What ( question word ) does ( helper verb ) she ( subject ) eat ( verb ) for breakfast? ( time )
does + base verb (eat, not eats).
-
Where is the station?
With be: question word + is + subject.
Quick checkPut the words in order to make a question.
How old, how many, how much
How joins with other words to ask about age, number, price and frequency.
| Question | Asks about | Example |
|---|---|---|
| How old…? | age | How old are you? — I'm 20. |
| How many…? | a number of things | How many brothers have you got? |
| How much…? | a price | How much is this T-shirt? |
| How often…? | how many times | How often do you go to the gym? |
| How are you? | health and feelings | How are you? — Fine, thanks. |
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How old are you?
Age: How old + be. Answer: I'm 20.
-
How many sisters have you got?
How many + plural noun.
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How much is it?
Asking about a price.
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How are you? — I'm fine, thanks.
A greeting.
Quick check“___ is this T-shirt?” — “It's £15.”
Answering questions
Answer wh- questions with information, not yes or no. In conversation, short answers are natural. Answer why with because .
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Where do you live? | In Paris. |
| When is the party? | On Saturday. |
| Who is that? | My sister. |
| Why are you happy? | Because it's my birthday! |
| How do you get to work? | By bus. |
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Which colour ( question word ) do ( helper verb ) you ( subject ) like? ( verb )
which asks you to choose.
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Why are you tired? — Because I work at night.
Answer why with because.
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When do you get up? — At seven o'clock.
A short answer with a time.
Quick checkMatch each question to its answer.
Errors to avoid
These are the mistakes learners make most often with this grammar. Read the wrong sentence, then the right one, and notice the change.
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Incorrect: Where you live?
Correct: Where do you live?
In the present simple, use do/does after the question word.
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Incorrect: What is your age?
Correct: How old are you?
Ask about age with How old…?
-
Incorrect: What time the film starts?
Correct: What time does the film start?
Use does + the base verb, with no -s.
-
Incorrect: Why you are late?
Correct: Why are you late?
With be, the verb comes before the subject.
Hear it in use
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then play one line at a time and say it after the speaker. The words in colour are this chapter’s grammar.
Conversation
A new classmate
Jamal and Sofia meet on the first day of an English course in London.
- Jamal
Hi! I'm Jamal. What's your name?
- Sofia
Hi, Jamal. I'm Sofia.
- Jamal
Nice to meet you. Where are you from?
Where + be + subject.
- Sofia
I'm from Argentina. And you?
- Jamal
I'm from Egypt. Where do you live in London?
Where + do + subject + base verb.
- Sofia
In Camden, with my aunt. How do you get to school?
- Jamal
By bike. It's quick! When does your course finish?
- Sofia
In June. Why do you study English?
- Jamal
Because I want to go to university here. What about you?
Answer why with because.
- Sofia
For my job — I work in a hotel. Which class are you in?
- Jamal
Class 3B, with Mr Brown. Who is your teacher?
- Sofia
Mr Brown too! We're in the same class.
What to remember
- 1 Question words ask for information: what, where, who, when, why, how and which.
- 2 The question word goes first. With be: Where is the station?
- 3 With other verbs, add do / does: Where do you live? What does she eat?
- 4 How makes more questions: How old…? How many…? How much…? How often…?
- 5 Answer with information, not yes or no — and answer why with because.
| Question word | Asks about | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| what | a thing | A pen. |
| where | a place | In London. |
| who | a person | My brother. |
| when | a time | At six. |
| why | a reason | Because I'm tired. |
| how | the way | By bus. |
Test yourself
Knowledge check
24 questions on Question Words
One question at a time, with an explanation after every answer. Score 20 or more (80%) and the chapter is marked complete.