English: Interrogative Statement

 Interrogative Statement

 Definition:  Interrogative Sentence: ask a question.    It ends with a question marks “ ? ”.

E.g  a) Who gave you that information?  b) When did the lights flicker?  c) Do you always work very quickly?

 Types  

1) Yes-No 2) “WH”- question

“In the Yes-No type , the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject. If there  is no auxiliary, ‘do’,’does’,’did’ is used.”

1) Interrogative of 'normal' (non-auxiliary) verbs For ‘normal’ verbs (verbs that are not auxiliary verbs like ‘to be’, ‘to have’), the interrogative is formed with the auxiliary do/does/did. After do/does or did, the main verb is used in the infinitive without to:

 Do you speak German?  Does Rajesh  live in Maharashtra?  Did ram visit tajmahal in Agra?  Did they like the meal last night?

2)  Interrogative of auxiliary verbs

If the verb is an auxiliary verb (e.g. ‘to be’, ‘to have’), the interrogative is formed without the auxiliary do/does/did:

 Have Peter and Louisa been to Rome?  Can I ask you a question?  Are you Spanish?

                              3) Inverting the auxiliary to form the interrogative

The interrogative sentence is formed by inverting  (changing the position) the first auxiliary verb:

1) Maria is lucky.    Is Maria lucky?

2) You can swim.    Can you swim?

“ The ‘WH’- type question includes: what,who, whom,whose,when, where,why, which, and how.”

 Intrrogative Pronoun  Intrrogative Adverb

Interrogative Pronoun

What We use ‘what’ to ask questions about people or things (objects):

 What is your name?  What are your eating?  What is the capital of Brazil?  What is your sister’s name?

Which

Used to ask questions about people or things (objects) when a choice between two or more options is given or a number of items or responses is expected.

 Which books did you read when you were at school?  Which colour do you prefer – red or blue?  Which is faster – a lion or a panther?  Which sports do you play?

Who

Who is used to ask questions about people

 Who wants ice-cream?  Who is that woman dressed in black?  Who wrote ‘War and Peace’?  Who is he married to?

Whom

Whom is used when we refer to the object or a verb or preposition. (see the Quick Tip Video). Although it is used less and less in spoken English it is worth understanding its use in written English.

 Whom did you talk to at the meeting?  To whom is that letter addressed?  Ask the receptionist whom to contact.  Whom does Maria live with?

Whose

Whose is used to ask questions about possession.

 Whose keys are these?  I didn’t see whose car it was that was damaged in the accident.  Whose dog is that outside the shop?  Do you know whose number I should call?

 Interrogative pronouns + suffix ‘  -ever  ‘ or ‘  -soever  ‘  Interrogative pronouns sometimes take the suffix –ever or –soever (not often used in contemporary English).

For example:  Whatever  Whatsoever  Whichever  Whoever  Whosoever  Whomever  Whomsoever  Whosever

Interrogative   Adverb  

The interrogative adverbs are:   why,where,how,when They are usually placed at the beginning of a question.

Examples  Why are you so late?  Where is my passport?  How are you?  How much is that coat?  When does the train arrive?

   Using ‘how’ as an interrogative adverb Notice that how can be used in four different ways:

1. meaning ‘in what way?’:  How did you make this sauce?  How do you start the car?

2. with adjectives:  How tall are you?  How old is your house?

3. with much and many:  How much are these tomatoes?  How many people are coming to the party?

4. with other adverbs:  How quickly can you read this?  How often do you go to London?’how