1. KAYContinental Language Lessons © 2004
Lesson A0-e : ‘Wh’ Questions
There are eight ‘wh’ questions:
why, what, when, where, which, who, whom and whose and how.
They are all used to elicit particular kinds of information.
Who, what, which and whose, can all be used to obtain information about the
subject or object of the sentence.
Whom can only be used to elicit information about the object of the sentence.
Although using whom would be grammatically correct, we normally use who
instead because it doesn’t sound so formal....
When which, what, who or whose refer to the subject.
The question word comes before the verb, without the use of the auxiliary do.
Note:
who always refers to people.
which and what before nouns can refer to either things or people.
Examples:
a. Who won the race?
Barry won the race.
b. Which trainee received the best-student award?
The one from India got the first prize.
c. What percentage of British people are left handed?
We believe that about 25% are left-handed.
1. QUESTION WORDS: WHICH OR WHAT?
When there are only two or three possibilities to choose from, ‘which’ is
normally preferred.
When there are an unlimited number of choices, ‘what’ is used.
Compare the following:
Which biscuits do you want me to buy – milk chocolate or plain chocolate?
I’d like the milk chocolate ones, please.
What kind of work do you do? I work as a lawyer for a firm in the city.
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2. KAYContinental Language Lessons © 2004
2. QUESTION WORDS: WHO, WHAT, WHICH,
Directions:
Change the statements to questions using the word in brackets.
e.g. The train arrived at ten o’clock. What time did the train arrive?
a. Their favourite kind of music is Latin Jazz. (what)
b. Mr. Robertson came to the party alone. (who)
c. They are singing popular songs. (what kind)
d. I like the red blouse, not the blue one. (which)
e. That is an English book. (what)
f. He studies piano at the university. (what)
g. She was eating a sandwich. (what)
h. She is working hard. (what)
i. The man with the white hat is my brother. (who)
j. They like to dance on weekends. (what)
k. Their favourite kind of music is Latin Jazz. (what)
l. They are singing popular songs. (what kind)
m. I prefer the banana to the strawberry. (which)
3. QUESTION WORDS: WHOSE?
Whose indicates possession, and like which and what, can be used with or
without a noun as a question word.
Compare the following:
Whose coat is this? It’s Joan’s.
Whose is that red car across the road? It’s the electrician’s.
What did you wear when it snowed? I made sure I was wearing boots.
What did you do then? I simply set off through the snow.
Getting to know someone by asking ‘which, what & whose’ questions…
What is your favourite sport? I like ____________.
What foods do you like? I like ____________.
Which flavour do you like best? I like ____________ best.
What`s your telephone number? My telephone number is ______.
What`s your blood type? My blood type is____________.
What kind of music do you like? I like ____________.
Which colours do you like the most? I like green more than ________.
What do you like to do? I like to ____________.
Who is your favourite actor? I like ____________.
What do you like to drink? I like to drink ____________.
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3. KAYContinental Language Lessons © 2004
4. QUESTION WORDS: WHEN, WHERE, WHY & HOW
These question words elicit an adverbial expression and ask for information
about time (when), place (where), reason (why) and method or way in which
something is done (how).
Compare the following:
When will you next be in London? The week after next.
When are you getting married? I'm not sure, next summer or autumn, perhaps.
Where are you getting married? In an old church near my village.
Where does your fiancée come from? She’s from Ecuador.
Why didn’t you get married earlier? We’ve both been too busy, I guess.
How was your holiday? Oh, it was great. Just what we needed.
How do you like your coffee? With just a dash of milk and two sugars.
How about some cake to go with it? OK, why not?
Directions:
Change the statements to questions using the word in brackets.
1. They do their homework at night. (when)
2. The car is across the street from the house. (where)
3. She felt better after she took a nap. (how)
4. My sister called her boyfriend yesterday (when)
5. She talked to him for an hour. (how long)
6. The party lasted all night. (how long)
7. The check was for 5.50€ (how much)
8. My parents have two cars. (how many)
9. They are coming to visit tomorrow. (when)
10. He is going to work right now. (where)
11. I don’t get up early because I like to sleep late. (why)
12. We have an English class every day. (how often)
13. The club is not far from their house. (where)
14. I didn’t bring my dictionary today. (why)
15. I didn’t bring my dictionary today. (why)
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4. KAYContinental Language Lessons © 2004
5. ASKING SOMEONE ‘WHERE, WHEN, WHY & HOW’ QUESTIONS....
I live (in, near)____________. Where do you live?
I go shopping (in, at) ____________. Where do you go shopping?
I was born in ____________. Where were you born?
I will go to ____________. Where will you go this summer?
I get up early in the __________________. When do you get up?
I walk to work in the _________________. How do you go to work?
I live in _________ because I like it. Why are you here?
I eat at _____________. When do you eat?
I like my ____________________well done. How do you like yours?
I like to speak many __________. Why do you want to learn English?
A4 Homework
Write a question for each of the following…
Play the guitar Cook pizza Swim Make clothes
Read music Play chess Snorkel Shoot a rifle
Bungee jump Read palms Change a flat tire Drive a truck?
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