Types of questions

TYPES OF QUESTIONSEnglish Grammar

BASIC TYPES OF QUESTIONS Yes / No questions.

Wh questions.

Tag questions

Embedded questions

YES / NO QUESTIONS A short answer (yes or no) is expected. Many of these questions are formed

by putting an auxiliary verb before the subject (=inversion).

Verb “to be” structureBE        +        SUBJECT        +        Adjective/Noun

Do/Does structureDO/DOES        +        SUBJECT        +        VERB

WH QUESTIONS Start with words like: What / Where / Why / Who / Whose / When / Which. WH questions with “do” structure.WH   +   DO/DOES   +   SUBJECT    +   VERB

WH questions with “be” structure.WH   +   BE    +    SUBJECT

Note: there are other question words that don’t start with "wh" as well.

How / how many / how often / how far / how much / how long / how old etc.

TAG QUESTIONS Short questions that appear at the end of some sentences usually to show

emphasis, politeness, irony or lack of confidence. They are also used in informal and spoken English.

Structure Main Clause + comma (,) + Positive/ Negative Auxiliary Verb + Personal

Pronoun If main clause is positiveHe plays football, doesn't he? If main clause is negativeHe doesn’t play football, does he?

TAG QUESTIONS Remember that you should only use PERSONAL PRONOUNS in TQs: These cars are very comfortable, aren't these cars? NO

These cars are very comfortable, aren't they? YES

Mary is strikingly beautiful, isn't Mary? NO

Mary is strikingly beautiful, isn't she? YES

TAG QUESTIONS Special case “I”Positive:I am French, aren't I?

NegativeI'm not Belgian, am I?

MORE TAG QUESTIONS There are also other more informal tag questions. You told her, no? It is a nice car, innit? You have the tickets, right? He's a good buddy, eh? Clever, ain't it? Got some trouble, huh?You must not use them in formal language, they are perfect for some informal chats!

INDIRECT (EMBEDDED) QUESTIONS A little more formal and polite questions. We use them when talking to a

person we don’t know very well, or in professional situations. Their form is a little different.

Example:Where is the train station? (Direct)Do you know where the train station is? (Indirect)

Where is the bathroom? (Direct)Could you tell me where the bathroom is? (Indirect)

PHRASES FOR EMBEDDED QUESTIONS

Could you tell me… Do you know… I was wondering… Do you have any idea… I’d like to know… Would it be possible… Is there any chance…

FIVE RULES FOR EMBEDDED QUESTIONS Rule OneIf the embedded question is part of a statement, use a period and not a question mark at the end of the sentence. Also, if the question is in the present or past simple verb tense, omit the auxiliary verbs do, does, and did and change the verb to its appropriate form.

Direct Question What time did he leave?

Embedded Question I wonder what time he left.

FIVE RULES FOR EMBEDDED QUESTIONS Rule Two If the embedded question includes an auxiliary verb or the verb "to be",

reverse the positions of the subject and the auxiliary verb.Direct Question What did he say?Embedded Question Could you tell me what he said?Direct Question Can you help me?Embedded Question I wonder if you could help me.Direct Question Is he a doctor?Embedded Question Do you know if he is a doctor?

FIVE RULES FOR EMBEDDED QUESTIONS Rule ThreeDo not use a verbal contraction at the end of the sentence.

Direct Question Where is she?

Correct Embedded Question Do you know where he is?

Incorrect Embedded Question Do you know where he's?

FIVE RULES FOR EMBEDDED QUESTIONS Rule Four Embedded questions are introduced by whether, whether or not, and if

when there is not a yes/no question.

Direct Yes/No Question Will he be there?

Embedded Question

Do you know if he will be there?Do you know whether or not he will be there?Do you know whether he will be there or not?

FIVE RULES FOR EMBEDDED QUESTIONS Rule FiveThe infinitive can follow a question word or whether in embedded questions.

Direct Question What should I do?

Embedded Question Would you tell me what I should do.

Embedded Question with an Infinitive Would you tell me what to do.