WH question words are used to ask questions about who, what, when, where, why, how, and which. They include words like what, when, where, why, how, who, whom, whose, which, and how come. Each WH word has a specific function - who asks about a person, what asks about an object or action, when asks about time, where asks about a place, why asks about a reason, and how asks about a manner.

1. WH Question Words
We use question words to ask certain types of questions (question word questions). We often refer to them as WH words because they include the
letters WH (for example WHy, HoW).
Question Word Function Example
what asking for information about something What is your name?
asking for repetition or confirmation
What? I can't hear you.
You did what?
what...for asking for a reason, asking why What did you do that for?
when asking about time When did he leave?
where asking in or at what place or position Where do they live?
which asking about choice Which colour do you want?
who asking what or which person or people(subject) Who opened the door?
whom asking what or which person or people(object) Whom did you see?
whose asking about ownership
Whose are these keys?
Whose turn is it?
why asking for reason, asking what...for Why do you say that?
why don't making a suggestion Why don't I help you?
how asking about manner How does this work?
asking about condition or quality How was your exam?
how + adj/adv asking about extent or degree see examples below
how far distance How far is PattayafromBangkok?
how long length (time or space) How long will it take?
how many quantity (countable) How many cars are there?
how much quantity (uncountable) How much money do you have?
how old age How old are you?
how come (informal) asking for reason, asking why How come I can't see her?

2. Question words Meaning Examples
who person Who's that? That's Nancy.
where place Where do you live? In Boston
why reason Why do you sleep early? BecauseI've got to get up early
when time When do you go to work? At 7:00
how manner How do you go? By car
what object, idea or action What do you do? I am an engineer
which choice Which one do you prefer? The red one.
whose possession Whose is this book? It's Alan's.
whom object of the verb Whom did you meet? I met the manager.
what kind description What kind of music do you like? I likequiet songs
what time time What time did you come home?
how many quantity (countable) How many students are there? There aretwenty.
how much amount, price(uncountable) How much time have we got? Ten minutes
how long duration,length How longdid you stay in that hotel? For two weeks.
how often frequency How often do you go to the gym? Twice a week.
how far distance How far is your school? It's one milefar.
how old age How old are you? I'm 16.
how come reason How come I didn't see at the party?