How to Ask Questions in English: The Only Lesson You Will Need

Asking questions is an important skill, nomatter where you are using English, you need to know how to ask a question. Asking a question in English is the first step to making a friend, getting a job, or finding out where your hotel is.

This guide is made for English students who want to learn how to ask questions in English. We'll cover various question types with many examples to help you grasp each concept thoroughly.

1. The Basics of Question Formation

The Role of the Verb "To Be"

When the verb in your sentence is "to be" (am, is, are, was, were), move it to the beginning to form a question.

• Statement: She is happy.

• Question: Is she happy?

• Statement: They were here.

• Question: Were they here?

• Statement: I am late.

• Question: Am I late?

Using "Do" for Other Verbs

If the main verb is not "to be," we use "do" (do, does, did) to start the question.

• Statement: You like apples.

• Question: Do you like apples?

• Statement: He plays soccer.

• Question: Does he play soccer?

• Statement: They watched a movie.

• Question: Did they watch a movie?

2. WH- Questions

WH- questions ask for specific information and start with WH- words: Who, What, Where, When, Why, Which, and How.

• Who asks about people.

• Who is your teacher?

• Who are your friends?

• Who was on the phone?
  

• What for things or activities.

• What is your favorite book?

• What do you want for dinner?

• What were you doing?
  

• Where for places.

• Where do you live?

• Where is the nearest store?

• Where were you born?
  

• When for time.

• When is your appointment?

• When do classes start?

• When did they arrive?
  

• Why for reasons.

• Why are you studying English?

• Why did you choose this school?

• Why is the sky blue?
  

• Which for choices.

• Which color do you prefer?

• Which one is yours?

• Which of these books have you read?
  

• How for manner, quantities, or degrees.

• How do you learn best?

• How many siblings do you have?

• How was your trip?

3. Yes/No Questions

These questions expect a yes or no answer, starting with a verb (be, do, or modal).

• With "be":

• Are you ready?

• Is it raining?

• Were they surprised?

• With "do":

• Do you like chocolate?

• Does it work?

• Did you hear that?

• With a modal verb (can, should, would):

• Can you swim?

• Should we start?

• Would you like some coffee?

4. Questions with Modals

Modal verbs (can, could, should, would, will, might, must) add nuance, asking about ability, permission, possibility, or politeness.

• Ability:

  • Can you drive?

  • Could you play the piano when you were six?

  • Can she speak multiple languages?

• Permission:

  • May I use your phone?

  • Could I leave early today?

  • Can I try this on?

• Possibility:

  • Might it snow tomorrow?

  • Could we win the game?

  • Will you be attending the meeting?

• Request:

  • Could you please lower the music?

  • Would you mind closing the window?

  • Can you help me with this?

5. Polite Questions

Enhance politeness with indirect questions or adding polite expressions.

• Direct vs. Indirect:

  • Where is the museum? vs. Could you tell me where the museum is?

  • How much does this cost? vs. Could you tell me how much this costs?

• Adding polite expressions:

  • Could you possibly show me the way to the museum?

  • Would it be possible to get a glass of water?

6. Tag Questions

Turn statements into questions by adding a short tag at the end, reflecting the auxiliary or modal verb.

• You’re coming, aren't you?

• She can't swim, can she?

• It was funny, wasn't it?

• We should leave, shouldn't we?

• You haven't seen this, have you?

**This kind of question formation is very advanced and I will make another post on this kind of question, but I wanted to introduce it to you so you get familiar with it. So don't worry if you feel unsure about it.

7. Subject and Object Questions

• Subject questions ask directly about the subject, not using an auxiliary verb.

  • Who called you?

  • Who won the game?

  • Who is cooking dinner?

• Object questions ask about the object, following the usual format.

  • Who did you call?

  • What did you eat?

  • Where did you buy that?

Conclusion

I hope this post clarified questions in English for you. If you have a minute, leave a comment and make your own question, or if you still need help, put it in the comments and I will help.

I am proud of all of you who are speaking a second language, and you are doing better than you think! Congratulations on finishing this article and I will see you next week! :)