Grammar - question words

study ex 1 ex 2 ex 3 ex 4 ex 5 ex 6
 
1. WH-question
Where à ask about places. Where is he? At home.
When à ask about times and dates. When will you phone? At 6 o'clock
Why à ask about a reason. Why are they leaving? They are tired.
How à ask in what way. How will she get here? By taxi.
Who à ask about people Who are you going to visit? My sister.
What
 
à ask about things
(many possible answers).
What's your father's job?
He's a dentist.
Which
 
à ask about things
(small number of possible answers).
Which finger did you break?
My ring finger.
 
2. Word order
Most wh-questions begin with a question word + an auxiliary verb + the subject
Question word Auxiliary Subject Verb    
What is Brian doing?    
Where have you put the book?  
When can we travel safely?  
How does the radio work?    
Who and What can be the subject of a question. Some examples:
- Who rang you?  (someone rang you)
- Who is helping you? someone is helping you)
 
3. Prepositions with wh-questions
Prepositions (to, about, with, from, ...) usually go at the end. Here are some examples:
- Where are you from?
- Who do these books belong to?
- What are you talking about?
- Who are you going with?