Guide to Common Questions

with What, Where, When, Why,

Who and How
By Kenneth Beare
English as 2nd Language Expert

The most common questions in English are often

referred to as 'wh' questions. 'Wh' questions begin
with 'wh' and include:
Where
When
Why
What
Who
How is often included with these why questions,
even though it does not begin with 'wh'. 'Wh'
questions ask for specific responses as to the time,
place, reason, thing or person.
Where - asks a question about place
When - asks questions about time
Why - asks questions about reasons
What - asks questions about things or objects
Who - asks questions about people
The answer to 'wh' questions often repeats the
same verb as in the question form.
Examples:
1. Where does he live?
He lives in New York.
2. When did they have dinner?
They had dinner at six o'clock.
3. Why is going to study French?
He is going to study French because he
wants to go to Paris.
4. What does she use to clean her clothes?
She uses a washing machine.
5. Who do they like?
They like Mr. Smith.
6. How does he play tennis?
He plays tennis well.
Notes on 'Wh' Questions
Note that the verb is repeated when it expresses a
specific action. When more general verbs such as
'do' and 'go' are used, it's common to use a more
specific verb in the reply.
Examples:

1. Where did he go?

He caught a flight to Mexico.
2. What does she do?
She works as an engineer.
3. Why did he do it?
He wanted to get a raise.
Wh Questions - Special Case Why
Questions with 'why' are often replied to using
'because'.
Examples:
1. Why are you working so hard?
Because I need to
2. Why did he move to New York?
Because he wanted to be closer to his
parents.
Questions with 'why' are often replied to using the
imperative (to do). In this case, the clause with
'because' is understood to be included in the
answer.
Examples:
1. Why does he get up so early?
To get in shape. = Because he wants to get
in shape.
2. Why are they coming next week?
To make a presentation. = Because they
are going to make a presentation.
Wh Questions - Short Forms
'What', 'who' and 'where' are often combined with
a preposition to ask short, follow-up questions.
Examples:
1. Are you busy next weekend?
Yes, I'm working next weekend?
What for?
Because I need to finish the project.
2. Jennifer is writing a new article?
Who for?
She's writing it for Jane Magazine.
3. I have to go away on business next week.
Where to?
I'm flying to Seattle on Friday.
4. With Who(who)
Questions with 'who' and 'with' can begin with the
preposition. The more formal form is 'with whom'.
Examples:
I'm having dinner in the city tonight.
With who(m)?

Wh Questions - With Prepositions

A number of 'wh' questions can combine with
prepositions. When combining with a preposition,
we generally place the preposition at the end of
the question. Here is a list of a few of the more
common combinations:
who ... for
who ... with
where ... to
where ... from
what ... for (= why)
what ... in
etc.

Examples:Who are you working for?

Who is speaking with?
Where are they going to?
Where does she come from?
What did he buy that for?
What does she believe in?
Wh Questions - Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs often end in prepositions. For 'wh'
questions used with phrasal verbs the prepositions
are placed at the end of the sentence.
Examples:
What are you looking at?
Who did she look after?
How did they get by?

Wh- Questions allow a speaker to find out more information about topics. They are as follows:

When?

Time

Where?

Place

Who?

Person

Why?

Reason

How?

Manner

What?

Object/Idea/Action

Other words can also be used to inquire about specific information:

Which (one)?

Choice of alternatives

Whose?

Possession

Whom?

Person (objective formal)

How much?

Price, amount (non-count)

How many?

Quantity (count)

How long?

Duration

How often?

Frequency

How far?

Distance

What kind (of)?

Description

The "grammar" used with wh- questions depends on whether the topic being asked about is the "subject" or "predicate" of a sentence. For
the subject pattern, simply replace the person or thing being asked about with the appropriate wh-word.

(Someone has my baseball.)

Who has my baseball?

(Something is bothering you.) What is bothering you?

For the predicate pattern, wh- question formation depends on whether there is an "auxiliary" verb in the
original sentence. Auxiliary or "helping" verbs are verbs that precede main verbs. Auxiliary verbs
are italicizedin the following sentences.
I can do it.
They are leaving.

I have eaten my lunch.

I should have finished my homework.

To make a question using the predicate pattern, first form a yes/no question by inverting the subject and
(first) auxiliary verb. Then, add the appropriate wh- word to the beginning of the sentence.
(You will leave some time.)

? will you leave

When will you leave?

(He is doing something.)

? is he doing
What is he doing?

(They have been somewhere.)

? have they been

Where have they been?

If there is no auxiliary and the verb is "be," invert the subject and verb, then add the appropriate wh- word
to the beginning of the sentence.
(He is someone.)

? is he
Who is he?

(The meeting was some time.)

? was the meeting

When was the meeting?

If there is no auxiliary and the verb is not "be," add do to the beginning of the sentence. Then add the
appropriate wh-question word. Be sure to "transfer" the tense and number from the main verb to the worddo.
(You want something.)

? do you want
What do you want?

(You went somewhere.)

? did you go (past tense)

Where did you go?

(She likes something.)

? does she like (third person -s)

What does she like?