Assertive to Interrogative

Assertive Sentences

Assertive sentences, also known as **declarative sentences**, are statements that express facts, opinions, or beliefs. They provide information and end with a period.

Example:

• She is reading a book.
• I like chocolate.

Another source definition: An assertive sentence is one that states a fact or opinion in a straightforward manner. It does not ask a question or give a command.

Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences are used to ask questions. They begin with an auxiliary verb (like *is, are, do, did*) or a question word (like *who, what, where, why*), and they end with a question mark.

Example:

• What is your name?
• Are you coming to the party?

Another source definition: An interrogative sentence is one that poses a question. It is structured to elicit a response and ends with a question mark.

To convert assertive sentences (statements) into interrogative sentences (questions) in English, follow these rules: 1. **For Sentences with the Verb "to be" (am, is, are, was, were, etc.):** - **Example:** She is happy. → **Is she happy?** - **Rule:** Simply invert the subject and the verb "to be." 2. **For Sentences with Auxiliary Verbs (do, does, did):** - **Example:** They play soccer. → **Do they play soccer?** - **Rule:** Add the auxiliary verb "do/does/did" at the beginning of the sentence (depending on the tense), and leave the main verb in its base form. 3. **For Sentences with Modal Verbs (can, could, will, would, should, etc.):** - **Example:** She can swim. → **Can she swim?** - **Rule:** Invert the subject and the modal verb. 4. **For Sentences Without an Auxiliary or Modal Verb:** - **Example:** He eats breakfast. → **Does he eat breakfast?** - **Rule:** Add "do/does" for present tense (and "did" for past tense) before the subject and change the main verb to its base form. 5. **For Negative Sentences:** - **Example:** He does not like ice cream. → **Does he not like ice cream?** - **Rule:** Invert the subject and the auxiliary/modal verb, keeping the negation intact (e.g., "does not," "is not"). 6. **For Wh- Questions (who, what, where, why, etc.):** - **Example:** She is reading a book. → **What is she reading?** - **Rule:** Start the question with a wh-word, followed by the appropriate form of the verb (usually "to be" or an auxiliary/modal verb), and then the subject.

Here are some examples of converting assertive sentences to interrogative sentences:

1. With the Verb "to be"

• Assertive: She is studying.
• Interrogative: Is she studying?
• Assertive: They were late.
• Interrogative: Were they late?

2. With Auxiliary Verbs (do, does, did)

• Assertive: You play tennis.
• Interrogative: Do you play tennis?
• Assertive: He finished his homework.
• Interrogative: Did he finish his homework?

3. With Modal Verbs (can, could, will, would, should, etc.)

• Assertive: She can sing.
• Interrogative: Can she sing?
• Assertive: We should leave now.
• Interrogative: Should we leave now?

4. Without Auxiliary or Modal Verbs

• Assertive: She eats apples.
• Interrogative: Does she eat apples?
• Assertive: They played football yesterday.
• Interrogative: Did they play football yesterday?

5. With Negative Sentences

• Assertive: He does not like coffee.
• Interrogative: Does he not like coffee? / Doesn't he like coffee?
• Assertive: I am not going to the party.
• Interrogative: Am I not going to the party? / Aren't I going to the party?

6. Wh- Questions

• Assertive: She is reading a book.
• Interrogative: What is she reading?
• Assertive: They went to the market.
• Interrogative: Where did they go?
• Assertive: He is studying French.
• Interrogative: What is he studying?

In addition to the basic rules for converting assertive sentences to interrogative sentences, there are several special cases. These exceptions and variations often involve sentence structures or word choices that require a slightly different approach. Here are some of the key special cases:

### 1. **Questions with the Verb "to be" in Negative Statements**

• - **Assertive Sentence (Negative):** She is not coming to the party.
• - **Interrogative Sentence:** **Is she not coming to the party?** or **Isn't she coming to the party?**
• - **Rule:** For negative sentences with "to be," you can either invert the subject and verb or use the contracted form (e.g., "isn't," "aren't").

### 2. **Questions with the Verb "to Have" as a Main Verb**

• - **Assertive Sentence:** He has a car.
• - **Interrogative Sentence:** **Does he have a car?**
• - **Rule:** When "have" is used as the main verb (not as an auxiliary verb), add "do/does" in front of the subject.

### 3. **Questions with "There" or "Existential Sentences"**

• - **Assertive Sentence:** There is a book on the table.
• - **Interrogative Sentence:** **Is there a book on the table?**
• - **Rule:** Invert the subject "there" and the verb (usually "is" or "are").

### 4. **Imperative Sentences (Commands) to Questions**

• - **Assertive Sentence (Imperative):** Open the door.
• - **Interrogative Sentence:** **Will you open the door?** or **Could you open the door?**
• - **Rule:** To turn an imperative sentence into a question, add a modal verb like "will," "can," "could," or "would" and include the subject.

### 5. **Questions with "Wh" Words (Who, What, Where, When, Why, How)**

• - **Assertive Sentence:** She is going to the store.
• - **Interrogative Sentence:** **Where is she going?**
• - **Rule:** Start the question with the appropriate "wh" word, followed by the appropriate form of the verb and then the subject.

### 6. **Tag Questions (Adding a Short Question to a Statement)**

• - **Assertive Sentence:** He is coming to the party.
• - **Interrogative Sentence (Tag Question):** **He is coming to the party, isn't he?**
• - **Rule:** For affirmative statements, use a negative tag question (e.g., "isn't he?"). For negative statements, use an affirmative tag (e.g., "is he?").

### 7. **Questions with "Let’s" (Suggestions)**

• - **Assertive Sentence:** Let’s go to the park.
• - **Interrogative Sentence:** **Shall we go to the park?**
• - **Rule:** Change "let's" into a question using "shall" (or "should" in some cases) with the subject "we."

### 8. **Questions with Indirect Speech or Reported Speech**

• - **Assertive Sentence:** He said he would help me.
• - **Interrogative Sentence:** **Did he say he would help me?**
• - **Rule:** For indirect speech in reported statements, add "did" (for past tense) to form the question.

### 9. **Questions with "None" and "No"**

• - **Assertive Sentence:** He has no money.
• - **Interrogative Sentence:** **Does he have no money?**
• - **Rule:** When using "no" or "none," form a question by adding the appropriate auxiliary verb (e.g., "does," "is," "has").

### 10. **Questions with Quantifiers (All, Some, Many, Few, etc.)**

• - **Assertive Sentence:** All students passed the exam.
• - **Interrogative Sentence:** **Did all students pass the exam?**
• - **Rule:** Add "do/does/did" before the subject and keep the quantifier intact.

These special cases involve more advanced structures and word choices, but with a little practice, you can easily navigate them. Each case has its own logic depending on sentence type, tense, and structure.

Here are some practice exercises for converting assertive sentences into interrogative sentences:

Exercise 1: Convert the following assertive sentences into interrogative sentences.

• 1. She likes to read books.
• 2. They are going to the market tomorrow.
• 3. I have finished my homework.
• 4. He can swim very well.
• 5. You should go to the doctor.
• 6. We will travel to Paris next month.
• 7. The children are playing outside.
• 8. They did not understand the question.
• 9. She has been working here for five years.
• 10. You were studying last night.

Exercise 2: Convert the following negative assertive sentences into interrogative sentences.

• 1. He does not know the answer.
• 2. They were not at the party yesterday.
• 3. I cannot find my keys.
• 4. She has not completed the assignment.
• 5. The students did not attend the class.
• 6. We are not going to the concert tonight.
• 7. You do not like chocolate.
• 8. He is not coming to the meeting.
• 9. She has not called yet.
• 10. They were not interested in the proposal.

Exercise 3: Convert the following assertive sentences into wh-questions.

• 1. She is going to the library.
• 2. He likes playing football.
• 3. They are visiting their grandparents this weekend.
• 4. I am studying for the exam.
• 5. You are working on a new project.
• 6. She has completed the task.
• 7. They are eating lunch at the café.
• 8. He is traveling to New York next week.
• 9. You have met my friend before.
• 10. The teacher explained the lesson clearly.