Wh Question
words
Considered as adverbs in the correct
grammar sense but also as pronouns,
adjectives and exclamations in some
cases.
The use of Wh question
words
We use Wh question words to give specific information
concerning specific requests. We call them Wh question words
because those specific adverbs begin with the letters Wh. There
are 6 Wh words. There is also the adverb How that is also
considered as a specific question words but not a Wh word.
The Wh question words generally used
There are 6 Wh question words. Each one
expresses a specific notion or answer which is
specified in the question. Those words are
What
When
Who
Where
Why
Which
WHAT
What is used in a question to express a What color is your
notion about something or the nature of
that thing. It refers to an object, a
pastime or hobby, a sport, a quality, to
enumerate only a few. But it never refers
to a person. In using what we are
looking for a thing
shirt?
What time is it ?
What is your
telephone number ?
What is your
favourite dish?
WHERE
Where is used in a question to express a specific place, a specific address that
the person wants to know. It can also be used to know the intention of one’s
moving or traveling.
Where do you live?
Where do you
play golf ?
Where are you
moving to ?
Where are you going
on you vacation ?
WHEN
When is used in a question to express what a person wants to know about
the specific time or moment of an action that is occurring or that has
occurred.
When are you going to
school ?
When was the Second
World War fought ?
When were you
born ?
When did you
get married ?
WHY
Why is used in a question to refer to
the reason of an occurred action or
event. It also refers to the cause of the
occurred event or action. This event Why did you break
or action has been done or is taking
this window ?
place. Past tense and compound
verbs are used in the question.
Why were you late
?
Why are you
skating ?
Why are you crying ?
Who
Who is used in a question to refer to a person
(subject ) that is doing an action. Who can only
be used in questions requesting the name of a
person.
Who is this Doctor ?
Who is she ?
Who is the new
student ?
Who did you talk to
yesterday ?
WHICH
Which is used in a question to
express a choice or a preference
about the likes and dislikes of a
person. Often, in the question,
the person will have the choice of
two or more things.
Which do you
prefer in your
coffee, milk or
cream ?
Which colours do
you want for your
bedroom ?
How is known as being an
adverb. Nevertheless, it is
still used as a question word.
In the question it expresses
the manner in which an
action is done, a person is
feeling and/or a means of
transportation.
HOW
How are you
feeling today ?
How can you run 10
miles without being
tired ?
How are you going
to the party tonight ?
ADVERBS ?????
The adverbs How and What are also
considered in specific cases as pronouns,
adjectives and exclamations depending
on how they are used. It is not important
to know how to analyse them in a
sentence. But it is important to know how
to recognize them in a sentence
What and How can be
matched either with a
preposition, an adjective, an
adverb or simply used with an
exclamation mark. The
following charts show you
those different notions.
Q-words
Notion
HOW MUCH
Quantity, amount,
price, noncountable
How much time do
you have ?
I have two hours
before I go
HOW MANY
Number, quantity,
countable
How many students
are there ?
There are 32 students
Person (object)
Whom did you see ?
I saw the players
Possession
Whose pen is this ?
It is mine
WHOM
WHOSE
WHAT TIME
Examples
Expresses time on What time is it ?
It is 4 o’clock
a clock
Q-Words
Notions
Examples
WHAT FOR
Use, goal, objectives.
What are you studying
for ?
I’m studying for a
school exam
WHAT KIND
OF
WHAT SIZE
Expresses kinds of
things
What kind of car do
you have?
I have a Toyota
Expresses different
sizes of things
What size are your
shoes ?
I wear size 7 shoes
HOW EARLY
Expresses time in
advance
Early hours
How early do you get
up ?
I get up at 6:30 a.m.
Lateness, delay, late
hours
How late did you get in
yesterday ?
I got in at 9:00 p.m.
HOW LATE
Q-words
Notion
HOW
LONG
HOW
OFTEN
HOW FAR
Expresses
duration, a precise
lapse of time.
How long is the movie ?
Expresses the
frequency of a
given action
How often do you play
tennis ?
Expresses the
notion of distance
of a given object.
How far is the post office ?
Expresses the
proximity of an
object
How near is the tennis
court?
Expresses the
notion of the
perfection in which
something is done
How well did you do in the
exam ?
HOW
NEAR
HOW WELL
Examples
Q-WORDS
Notion
HOW LONG All these
Q-words express
HOW WIDE measures of
different kind like
HOW LARGE duration, width,
height, speed and
HOW HIGH size
HOW TALL
HOW FAST
Examples
How long is this
rope ?
How wide is this
truck?
How large is this
building ?
How high is that
pole ?
How tall are you ?
How fast are you
driving ?
Q-words
HOW OLD
Notion
Expresses the age of
an object, person or
thing
Example
How old is this dress ?
Finally you can see that a large range of possibilities exist in
the use of Wh question words. Now it is up to you to practice
those words in order to master them:
Now for exercising!!!
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3