All the question words in the English language and their combinations

The Need of question words in any language can not be doubted. How else to ask and learn about particular places, objects and people, time and direction? In this article you will learn all about the special words in the English questions. Most of them begin with the letter combination wh, but there are other options.

Types of questions

Just in English, there are 5 types of interrogative sentences: alternative, separation, General, questions to the subject and special. Just in the last two types are used special words, which became the subject of this article.

The Question words in the English language are always in the beginning of the sentence. This is followed by a verb: semantic (if it is a question to the subject) or secondary (when asked a specific question). For example:

What makes you happy? − What pleases you? (this is a question to the subject).

What have you seen? − What did you see? (special issue).

In the above proposals, the question word is what. Next you will see a list of the other members of this group.

Question words English language

The table below contains all the special words that put at the beginning of the questions.

As the table shows, the interrogative words in the English language, almost all begin with the letter combination wh (although read it in different words in different ways).

Also to say that the question word whom is currently almost not used and replaced with who:

Who does she call?

Now consider combinations of words that also have an interrogative sense and are put at the beginning of sentences.

Combinations

Sometimes the question words in the English language are connected with other words to form question phrases.

What kind of? − What?

What kind of music do you like? What kind of music do you like?

What kind of person is she? What kind of person is she? What is her character?

Most often, these combinations can be found with the word how (how).

• How many? − How much? (for countable nouns).

How many people live there? − How many people live there?

• How much? − How much? (for uncountable nouns).

How much does it cost? − How much is it?

• How long? − for How long?

How long do you know him? − How long do you know him?

• How long ago? − for How long?

How long ago did she leave? −How long ago did she leave?

• How often? How often?

How often do you meet? − How often do you meet?

• How old? − How much?

How old is he? − How old is he?

Clichés

Quite often the question words in the English language can be detected in phrases with a firm structure and value. These clichés don't always translate literally, so you need them just know that when you meet them in a foreign speech or text, not to get lost.

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What is going on? / What is happening? − What's happening?

What is the point of...? − does it make sense...?

What is taking so long? − what's taking so long?

What took you so long? − Why do you (you) so long?

What are you? – What you (you) profession?

What’s up? − How are you?

How are you doing? − How are you (-ete)?

How can you tell…? − How do you (you) know (-te), what...?

Place in the sentence

In a special question in the first place put a question word (or phrase), followed by the auxiliary verb, followed by subject, then predicate, followed by a secondary sentence.

Why do you stay here?

Asking the question to the subject, should first put a question word, then the predicate (main verb), then the subject and the rest of the sentence.

Who lives here?

The Answer to the question to the subject will be almost identical offer, but without the question mark at the end with a noun (pronoun) in place of the question words: Jack (he)lives here.

How to learn?

Are difficult for learners of English interrogatives. Exercises will gradually help them to remember. You can start with simple tasks where in the proposals for the gaps to substitute a question word from the available list. Then gradually complicate the work of the omissions self-selection of options, answers to questions, compiling dialogues, execution of audiotalaia and more.