wh questions2

BY ZHIAN FADHIL ASAAD

When there is:

•A helping verbA modal•To be

•It is raining

•He has gone out

•Is it raining?

•Has he gone out?

She can play the piano. Can she play piano?

She doesn’t come here often.Doesn’t she come here often?

He hasn’t phoned us.Hasn’t he phoned us?

he, she, it : He does his homework. He does not do his homework.*Does he do his homework?*

When there is no helping verb (as in the Present Simple and the Past Simple) a helping verb is supplied.

Do/Does (Present Simple) Did (Past Simple)

Wh-questions ask for information and we do not expect a yes-no answer to a wh-question. We expect an answer which gives information.

What is used for a thing. ‘What is it?’ Who is used for a person. Whose has the same

meaning but it is always followed by a noun. ‘Who were you talking to?’ ‘Whose car is that?’ Why is used for a reason. ‘Why were you late?’ When is used for a time or date ‘When did you start working here?’

WH Questions

We usually form wh-questions with wh- + an auxiliary verb (be, do or have) + subject + main verb or with wh- + a modal verb + subject + main verb:Be: When are you leaving?Who’s been paying the bills?Do: Where do they live?Why didn’t you call me?Have: What has she done now?What have they decided?Modal: Who would she stay with?Where should I park?

2) Sentences without auxiliary verbs.

-Change the main verb to its Base form.-Sentences without an auxiliary verb need

to have a form of the verb “do” inserted.

-Place the wh word in the initial position

The man broke the window.

What did the man break?

Who: People

-There is no helping verb.

Who went to the store?(Jenny)

When: TimeRule?We must invert the subject and the helping

verb. Why?B/c there is a helping verb in the sentence.

When is Matt going to the mall?(tonight)

What: Thing

Rule?Change the verb to the present tense.Needs ‘do’ support

What did Bob bring to school?(cookies)

- Sentences with helping verbs.Invert the subject and helping verb

-Sentences without helping verbs.Needs ‘do’ supportChange verb to its present form