WH Questions Words: Learn 8 WH Question Words with Helpful Examples - ESL Forums (2024)

In the wide realm of the English language, we often find ourselves in search of information, and that’s where WH question words become our trusty tools. These special words allow us to probe deeper into the details of a conversation, giving us the ability to ask for specifics. Whether we’re curious about a location, time, reason, or person, WH questions open the door to the information we’re after.

Table of Contents

Fundamentals of WH Questions Words

WH Questions Words: Learn 8 WH Question Words with Helpful Examples - ESL Forums (1)

Definition of WH Words

WH wordsform the basis of information-seeking questions. These words typically start with the letters “W” and “H,” and they prompt the delivery of specific types of answers, leading away from yes/no responses. WH words seek qualitative information and detail, crucial for clear and effective communication.

Types of WH Questions

Here’s a brief breakdown of the types of WH questions we often use:

  1. What: Inquires about things or information.
  2. Who: Asks about people.
  3. When: Pertains to time.
  4. Where: Seeks a place or location.
  5. Why: Asks for reasons or causes.
  6. Which: Chooses between options.
  7. Whose: Inquires about possession.
  8. How: Covers manner, state, or condition.

Common WH Questions Words

WHO

Usage: WHO is used to ask theperson who did the action.

Examples:

  • Who is next?
  • Who is answering the phone?
  • Who is your partner?
  • Who is the Present of Brazil?
  • Who will be the winner?
  • Who wrote the letter?

WHAT

Usage: WHAT is used to ask forinformation.

Examples:

  • What does this sentence mean?
  • What did she say?
  • What is this?
  • What dress are you wearing tonight?
  • What is the Capital of Brazil?
  • What did they do last night?

WHEN

Usage: WHEN is used to ask the time of an event/action.

Examples:

  • When did you go last night?
  • When will they come?
  • When does Anna arrive?
  • When can I see you again?
  • When is the next World Cup?
  • When is your birthday?

WHERE

Usage: WHERE is used to ask for the location.

Examples:

  • Where are you?
  • Where is the school?
  • Where were the keys?
  • Where do you live?
  • Where are we going?
  • Where is this?

WHY

Usage: WHY is used to ask for areason/cause.

Examples:

  • Why did you do that?
  • Why he didn’t come?
  • Why did you break the glass?
  • Why haven’t you called?
  • Why did Alex leave?
  • Why you didn’t choose that one?

HOW

Usage: HOW is used to explain a process.

Examples:

  • How do you like that?
  • How does it work?
  • How‘s it going?
  • How do you do?
  • How do you learn English?
  • How has the weather been?
  • How was your mother?

WHICH

Usage: WHICH is used when there is a choice.

Examples:

  • Which one is better?
  • Which of these pens is the best?
  • Which ingredients do you need to make an apple pie?
  • Which author do you enjoy?
  • Which river is longer, the Nile or the Amazon?
  • Which pen is blue?

WHOSE

Usage: WHOSE is used to show possession.

Examples:

  • Whose idea was that?
  • Whose keys are these?
  • Whose book is on the table?
  • Whose child is this that has a cough?
  • Whose bag is this?

Grammar Rules for WH Questions

Getting the word order right is essential for the question to sound natural in English. We generally follow this structure:

  1. WH Question Word
  2. Auxiliary Verb (if needed)
  3. Subject
  4. Main Verb
  5. Complements/Modifiers

Here’s a simple table to demonstrate:

WH WordAuxiliary VerbSubjectMain VerbComplement/Modifier
Whydidyouleavethe party early?
Howaretheytravelingto New York?

Remember, when the WH word is the subject itself, we don’t need an auxiliary verb:

  • Wholives here?

Above all, practice will make our questions sound more fluent and natural. So let’s keep asking questions!

WH Questions in Different Contexts

Formal vs Informal Usage

Formal Situations:

  • In formal contexts, we often use WH questions with added politeness markers or complete sentences. For instance:
    • “Could you tell uswherethe meeting will be held?”
    • Whomshould we contact for further information?”

Informal Situations:

  • On the other hand, when we’re in informal settings, our WH questions tend to be more direct and casual. For example:
    • “Hey,what’sup?”
    • Where‘s the party tonight?”

Written vs Spoken Contexts

Written Language:

  • In written English, our WH questions are typically full sentences, punctuated properly. For instance:
    • “We wondered,whatare the main objectives of the project?”
    • Howcan we improve our performance?”

Spoken Language:

  • While speaking, we often use WH questions more spontaneously and sometimes don’t require a full sentence. We might also use intonation to convey the question:
    • Whattime’s dinner?”
    • Howdo we get there from here?” (rising intonation)

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you construct a sentence using a WH question word?

When constructing a sentence with a WH question word, we start with the WH word, follow it with the auxiliary verb if necessary, then the subject, and finally the main verb. For example, “What are you doing this weekend?”

Could you provide a list of the most commonly used WH question words?

Certainly! The most commonly used WH question words include who, what, where, when, why, which, and how. These words help us ask about people, objects, places, time, reasons, choices, and methods, respectively.

What distinguishes a WH question from other types of questions?

WH questions are distinct because they ask for specific information and are open-ended, unlike yes/no questions which typically garner a simple affirmative or negative response. They require more detailed answers and begin with a word that includes ‘WH’.

Can you give me some tips on how to effectively practice WH questions?

To practice WH questions, we can start by reading a text and formulating questions about its content using different WH words. Additionally, engaging in conversation and asking each other WH questions about our daily lives can help reinforce our understanding.

What are some examples of WH questions in different tenses?

Here are examples in three different tenses: “What did you do yesterday?” (past simple), “What are you doing?” (present continuous), and “What will you do tomorrow?” (future simple).

How can understanding WH question words improve English language skills?

Grasping WH question words expands our ability to gather information and engage in meaningful conversations. It enhances our listening comprehension and our capacity to ask and answer questions effectively.

WH Questions Words: Learn 8 WH Question Words with Helpful Examples - ESL Forums (2024)

FAQs

What are the 8 question words? ›

The main question words are:
  • What (for a thing, when there are many things)
  • Which (for a thing, when there aren't many things)
  • Who (for a person)
  • Where (for a place)
  • Why (for a reason)
  • When (for a time)
  • How (for a method)
  • Whose (to ask about possession)

What is WH questions pdf? ›

Wh Questions. Page 1. Wh Questions. These are the wh-forms and we use them to make open or wh questions : what, when, where, which, who, whom, whose , why , how , they are all used to elicit particular kinds of information. You use what when you are asking for information about something.

What are the 10 WH questions? ›

Wh-questions begin with what, when, where, who, whom, which, whose, why and how. We use them to ask for information.

What are the 8 key questions? ›

  • THE EIGHT KEY QUESTIONS. HANDBOOK.
  • FAIRNESS.
  • OUTCOMES.
  • RESPONSIBILITIES.
  • CHARACTER.
  • LIBERTY.
  • EMPATHY.
  • AUTHORITY.

What is the word order of questions in ESL? ›

The word order in questions is: question word + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb. When we ask a question using a question word, the answer is not Yes / No, but information must be given.

How to teach question words in a fun way? ›

Have your students stand in a circle and throw a ball or other object to each other. As they throw the ball to another student, they ask a question using one of the question words from the board. The student who catches the ball must answer the question before passing it to another student.

How to teach kids to ask WH-questions? ›

Interrupt stories and ask a series of questions related to the story topic. Ask your child to create questions about the story with Who, What, When, Where, or Why as the first word of his/her question. Children learn from these prompts and will begin using these comprehension strategies while reading on their own.

What are the rules for asking a WH word question? ›

There are two basic patterns you can use to form Wh- questions in English.
  • With no auxiliary. Wh- word + be + subject. Examples: Who is that? How are you?
  • With auxiliary. Wh- word + auxiliary + subject + verb. Examples: What do you want? Why did you quit? What's an auxiliary verb?
Jan 31, 2023

What are the 10 question words? ›

An interrogative word or question word is a function word used to ask a question, such as what, which, when, where, who, whom, whose, why, whether and how.

What are wh- words? ›

In English grammar, a "wh- word" is one of the function words used to begin a wh- question: what, who, whom, whose, which, when, where, why, and how. Wh- words can appear in both direct questions and indirect questions, and they are used to begin wh-clauses.

What are the 5 powerful questions? ›

5 Powerful Questions Every People Manager Needs to Know and Use
  • What do you think? Not rocket science is it? ...
  • What makes you think this? ...
  • Can you tell me more? ...
  • How can I support you with this? ...
  • What do you think are the next steps?

What are the 7 words of question? ›

We use the question words who (for people), what/which (for things), when (for time), where (for places), why (for reasons) and how (for more details). What do I need to know about question words? I know you know the basics, but questions are quite tricky. Let's just go over the main rules.

What are the 20 question words? ›

Question words and when to use them
  • who – ask about people.
  • what – ask about things.
  • when – ask about times.
  • where – ask about places.
  • why – ask about motives/reasons.
  • how – ask about methods, ways of doing something.
  • whose – ask about possession.
  • which – ask about a choice.

What are the eight worldview questions? ›

Eight basic worldview questions
  • What is prime reality–the really real? ...
  • What is the nature of external reality, that is, the world around us? ...
  • What is a human being? ...
  • What happens to a person at death? ...
  • Why is it possible to know anything at all? ...
  • How do we know what is right and wrong? ...
  • What is the meaning of human history?
Oct 7, 2022

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