Open questions, or Wh- questions in English, are specific types of questions that use question words to ask for information and can be answered freely.
Wh-questions begin with what, when, where, who, whom, which, whose, why, and how.
Forming Wh- Questions
With an Auxiliary Verb
Rule 1: We can form wh- questions using the construction wh- question word + an auxiliary verb (be, do or have) + subject + main verb.
Note: We can also form wh- questions by using modal verbs instead of auxiliary verbs, following the construction wh- word + a modal verb + subject + main verb.
Without an Auxiliary Verb
Rule 2: We don't use auxiliary verbs when question verbs what, who, which, or whose is the subject or part of the subject. We can form wh- questions using the word order wh- word (subject) + main verb.
Note: In the wh- question with a preposition, the preposition comes at the end of the question.
Click this box to see new rules in practice
Learn English with Readle
Usage
Rule 3: We can use wh- questions to ask for information about specific qualities, times, places, people, etc. by using different question words.
Here is how to use different wh- words:
| Wh- Word | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| what | things | What are you doing? |
| when | time | When will I see you again? |
| where | place/location | Where are we going? |
| who | people | Who told you that? |
| whom | people (object of verb) | Whom were you talking to? |
| whose | possession/belonging | Whose backpack is this? |
| which | choices/preferences | Which dress do you like the most? |
| why | causes/reasons | Why are you looking at me like that? |
| how | process/manner | How can I contact you? |
Responding to Wh- Questions
Rule 4: We do not expect a yes-no answer to a wh-question. When answering a wh- question, we should give an answer that provides information.
Adding Emphasis to Wh- Questions
Rule 5: We can add emphasis to wh-questions in speaking by stressing the auxiliary verb do to show strong interest or if we have not received the information we expected from an earlier question.
Negative Wh-Questions
Rule 6: To ask negative wh-questions, we use the auxiliary verb do when there is no other auxiliary or modal verb, even when the wh-word is the subject of the clause.
Quiz
1/4Form a Wh- question. ___ did you do on the weekend?