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Question words: what, where, who, when, why, how
A1 A1 grammar · lesson 12 of 24
Question words help you ask for information, not just yes or no. They are the key to every conversation.
The question words
| Word | Asks about | Example |
|---|---|---|
| What | a thing | What is your name? |
| Where | a place | Where do you live? |
| Who | a person | Who is that man? |
| When | a time | When is your birthday? |
| Why | a reason | Why are you sad? |
| How | the way, or a feeling | How do you go to work? How are you? |
We answer why questions with because: Why are you tired? Because I work a lot.
Word order
The question word comes first. Then use the normal question order.
- With be: question word + am / is / are + subject. Where is the station?
- With other verbs: question word + do / does + subject + verb. What do you want?
What time is it?
Where does Omar work?
Who is your teacher?
When do you get up?
Why does she like this song?
How old are you?
How much is this bag?
How many brothers have you got?
Which and whose
Use which when there are only a few choices: Which colour do you want, red or blue? You learn whose in Lesson 18.
Common mistakes
✗ Where you live?
✓ Where do you live?
✗ What she does on Sundays?
✓ What does she do on Sundays?
✗ Where the bank is?
✓ Where is the bank?
✗ How many years have you?
✓ How old are you?