An interrogative sentence asks a question and ends with a question mark. It can be a yes/no question or a wh-question using words like 'who', 'what', 'where', and 'why'. These sentences often require auxiliary verbs and subject-verb inversion. They help gather information, clarify doubts, and engage in conversations. Polite forms are used in formal settings, and common mistakes include incorrect word order. Mastering them improves communication.
An interrogative sentence is a type of sentence that asks a question. It typically begins with a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how) or an auxiliary verb (do, does, did, can, will, etc.) and ends with a question mark (?).
An interrogative sentence is a sentence that is used to ask a question and requires an answer or response.
Interrogative sentences are used to ask questions. They can be categorized into three main types:
1. Yes/No Questions: A Yes/No question is a type of question that expects a response of either 'Yes' or 'No' rather than an open-ended answer. These questions typically begin with an auxiliary verb (do, is, are, can, will, have) or a modal verb (should, could, would, may).
Structure: Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb + (rest of the sentence)?
Examples of Yes/No Questions:
2. Wh- Questions: Wh- Questions are questions that begin with a 'Wh- word' (who, what, when, where, why, which, whose, and sometimes how). These questions are used to gather specific information rather than just a 'yes' or 'no' answer.
Structure: Wh-word + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb + (rest of the sentence)?
Examples of Wh- Questions:
3. Choice Questions: Choice Questions are a type of question format where respondents select their answers from a set of given options. These questions are commonly used in surveys, exams, and assessments to measure knowledge, preferences, or opinions.
Structure: Option 1 + or + Option 2?
Examples:
Interrogative sentences are used to ask questions. They typically begin with a question word (wh-word) or an auxiliary/helping verb. There are several types of interrogative sentences based on their structure:
Yes/No Questions: Auxiliary verb (do/does/did, is/are/was/were, have/has/had, will/can/may, etc.) + Subject + Main Verb + Rest of the Sentence?
Example:
Wh-Questions: Wh-word (what, where, when, why, who, whom, which, how) + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + Rest of the Sentence?
Example:
Choice Questions: Yes/No Question or Wh-Question + "or" + Option 1/Option 2?
Example:
Tag Questions: Statement + Comma + Auxiliary Verb + Pronoun?
Example:
Indirect Questions: Introductory Phrase (Could you tell me, Do you know, I wonder, etc.) + Wh-Word (or if/whether for Yes/No questions) + Subject + Verb?
Example:
Interrogative sentences are used for various purposes in communication. Here are the main uses:
Here are some examples:
Yes/No Questions:
Wh- Questions:
Choice Questions:
Tag Questions:
Indirect Questions:
Wh-words, also known as question words, are used to ask questions in English. They typically start with 'Wh' (except for 'How'). Here’s a list of common Wh-words along with their meanings and examples:
What – Used for asking about things, information, or actions.
Where – Used to ask about a place or location.
When – Used to ask about time.
Who – Used to ask about people.
Whom – Used to ask about the object of a verb or preposition (formal).
Which – Used to ask about choices or specific things from a known set.
Why – Used to ask about reasons or causes.
How – Used to ask about manner, condition, or quantity.
How much – Used to ask about quantity (uncountable nouns) or price.
How many – Used to ask about quantity (countable nouns).
How long – Used to ask about duration.
How far – Used to ask about distance.
How old – Used to ask about age.
How often – Used to ask about frequency.
Forming interrogative sentences in different tenses follows specific rules depending on whether the verb is 'be', 'do', 'have', or a 'modal verb'. Below is a breakdown of how to form questions in different tenses:
Present Simple (Do/Does + subject + base verb?)
(For 'be' verbs: Is/Am/Are + subject + complement?)
Present Continuous (Am/Is/Are + subject + verb(-ing) ?)
Present Perfect (Have/Has + subject + past participle?)
Present Perfect Continuous (Have/Has + subject + been + verb(-ing)?)
Past Simple (Did + subject + base verb?)
(For 'be' verbs: Was/Were + subject + complement?)
Past Continuous (Was/Were + subject + verb(-ing)?)
Past Perfect (Had + subject + past participle?)
Past Perfect Continuous (Had + subject + been + verb(-ing)?)
Future Simple (Will + subject + base verb?)
Future Continuous (Will + subject + be + verb(-ing)?)
Future Perfect (Will + subject + have + past participle?)
Future Perfect Continuous (Will + subject + have been + verb(-ing)?)
Negative interrogative sentences are questions that are framed in a negative form. They often express surprise, doubt, or emphasis. These sentences typically begin with 'don't', 'doesn't', 'didn't', 'isn't', 'aren't', 'wasn't', 'weren't', 'haven't', 'hasn't', 'hadn't', 'won't', 'can't', 'shouldn't', etc.
Examples of Negative Interrogative Sentences
Present Simple Tense:
Past Simple Tense:
Future Tense:
Present Continuous Tense:
Past Continuous Tense:
Present Perfect Tense:
Modal Verbs:
Polite or indirect questions are used to show respect and make requests or inquiries sound more formal and courteous. Instead of asking a direct question, we use phrases that soften the request.
Examples of Direct vs. Indirect Questions
Asking for Information
Making Requests
Asking for Permission
Offering Help
Common Phrases for Indirect Questions
Interrogative sentences are used to ask questions, but people often make mistakes when forming them. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them:
Incorrect Word Order
Using Double Auxiliary Verbs
Forgetting Auxiliary Verbs in Negative Questions
Incorrect Use of Question Words
Using "Do" with Modal Verbs
Forgetting Subject in Informal Questions
Using "Is" Instead of "Does" in Third Person Questions
Using "Who" Instead of "Whom" (Formal Contexts)