Notes: Simple WH-Questions
What are WH-Questions?
WH-questions are special questions that start with a "WH-word" (or "How"). They ask for
specific information, not just a "yes" or "no" answer.
The Main WH-Words and What They Ask For:
● WHO: Asks about a person.
● WHAT: Asks about a thing, idea, or action.
● WHERE: Asks about a place.
● WHEN: Asks about a time.
● WHY: Asks about a reason.
● HOW: Asks about the way/manner or condition.
Basic Structure for Simple WH-Questions:
The general structure usually involves a WH-word followed by a helper verb (or "be" verb),
then the subject, and then the main verb (if needed).
Structure 1: With "Be" Verbs (is, am, are, was, were)
● WH-word + be verb + Subject + (rest of sentence)?
○ Who is he?
○ What are they doing?
○ Where was your book?
○ When is the party?
○ Why are you sad?
○ How are you?
Structure 2: With Helper Verbs (do, does, did, can, will, should, etc.)
● WH-word + helper verb + Subject + Main Verb (base form) + (rest of sentence)?
○ Who do you like?
○ What does she eat for breakfast?
○ Where did they go yesterday?
○ When can we meet?
○ Why should I help?
○ How will he travel?
Examples for Each WH-Word:
1. WHO (for people)
○ Who is your teacher?
○ Who lives in that house? (Note: Sometimes 'who' can be the subject itself, so
no extra 'do/does/did' is needed before the main verb.)
○ Who did you meet?
2. WHAT (for things, ideas, actions)
○ What is your favorite color?
○ What do you like to do?
○ What happened?
3. WHERE (for places)
○ Where is the library?
○ Where do you live?
○ Where did she put the keys?
4. WHEN (for time)
○ When is your birthday?
○ When do you wake up?
○ When will he arrive?
5. WHY (for reasons)
○ Why are you happy?
○ Why did she leave early?
○ Why do they study so hard?
6. HOW (for manner, condition, quantity, etc.)
○ How are you?
○ How do you get to school?
○ How old is your brother? (Note: 'How' can combine with adjectives like 'old',
'many', 'much', 'far', etc.)
○ How many books do you have?