"Mastering Question Words: What, Where, When, How & More!"

Mastering Question Words

Let’s break down the correct usage of each question word (what, where, which, when, how, why, who, whom, whose) with explanations and examples. This will help you understand how to use them properly in sentences. 😊

1. What

Usage: Used to ask about things, actions, or information.
Structure: What + verb + subject?

• Examples:
• "What is your name?" (asking for information)
• "What are you doing?" (asking about an action)
• "What time is it?" (asking about a thing, like time)

Tip: Use "what" when you’re asking for details or definitions.

2. Where

Usage: Used to ask about places or locations.
Structure: Where + verb + subject?

• Examples:
• "Where do you live?" (asking about a place)
• "Where is the nearest café?" (asking for a location)
• "Where did you go yesterday?" (asking about a past location)

Tip: Use "where" when you want to know about a physical or abstract place.

3. Which

Usage: Used to ask about choices or options.
Structure: Which + noun + verb + subject?

• Examples:
• "Which color do you like, red or blue?" (asking about a choice)
• "Which book is yours?" (asking about a specific item)
• "Which way should I go?" (asking about a direction)

Tip: Use "which" when there are limited options or when you’re asking for specificity.

4. When

Usage: Used to ask about time.
Structure: When + verb + subject?

• Examples:
• "When is your birthday?" (asking about a date)
• "When does the train leave?" (asking about a time)
• "When did you arrive?" (asking about a past time)

Tip: Use "when" to ask about specific times, dates, or periods.

5. How

Usage: Used to ask about manner, condition, quantity, or quality.
Structure: How + adjective/adverb + verb + subject?

• Examples:
• "How are you?" (asking about condition)
• "How do you cook pasta?" (asking about manner)
• "How much does it cost?" (asking about quantity)
• "How far is the station?" (asking about distance)

Tip: Use "how" to ask about the way something happens or the degree of something.

6. Why

Usage: Used to ask for reasons or explanations.
Structure: Why + verb + subject?

• Examples:
• "Why are you late?" (asking for a reason)
• "Why did you choose this job?" (asking for an explanation)
• "Why is the sky blue?" (asking for a scientific reason)

Tip: Use "why" when you want to know the cause or purpose behind something.

7. Who

Usage: Used to ask about people (as the subject of the sentence).
Structure: Who + verb + object?

• Examples:
• "Who is your teacher?" (asking about a person)
• "Who called you?" (asking about the subject of the action)
• "Who won the game?" (asking about the subject)

Tip: Use "who" when the person you’re asking about is doing the action.

8. Whom

Usage: Used to ask about people (as the object of the sentence).
Structure: Whom + verb + subject?

• Examples:
• "Whom did you meet?" (asking about the object of the action)
• "Whom are you talking to?" (asking about the object)
• "Whom should I contact?" (asking about the object)

Tip: Use "whom" when the person you’re asking about is receiving the action. (Note: In informal English, "who" is often used instead of "whom.")

9. Whose

Usage: Used to ask about possession or ownership.
Structure: Whose + noun + verb + subject?

• Examples:
• "Whose book is this?" (asking about ownership)
• "Whose car is parked outside?" (asking about possession)
• "Whose idea was it?" (asking about ownership of an idea)

Tip: Use "whose" when you want to know who something belongs to.

General Rules for All Question Words:

1. Invert the subject and verb:
• "What is your name?" (not "What your name is?")
• "Where are you going?" (not "Where you are going?")
2. Use the base form of the verb:
• "What do you want?" (not "What does you want?")
• "How did you do that?" (not "How did you did that?")
3. Don’t use "do/does/did" with "be" verbs:
• "Who is she?" (not "Who does she be?")
• "Where are they?" (not "Where do they are?")

Practice Time!

Try forming questions using these question words. For example:

• "What is your favorite food?"
• "Where did you go last weekend?"
• "Why are you learning English?"

Below is a list of 10 questions each for the question words: what, where, which, when, how, why, who, whom, and whose. These questions cover a variety of contexts to help you practice and understand their usage better. 😊

WHAT (used to ask about things or actions)

1. What is your favorite color?
2. What are you doing right now?
3. What time does the movie start?
4. What did you eat for breakfast?
5. What is the capital of France?
6. What do you want to be when you grow up?
7. What is the meaning of this word?
8. What kind of music do you like?
9. What made you choose this career?
10. What is your phone number?

WHERE (used to ask about places)

1. Where do you live?
2. Where is the nearest gas station?
3. Where did you go on your last vacation?
4. Where can I find a good restaurant?
5. Where are my keys?
6. Where were you born?
7. Where does this road lead?
8. Where is the bathroom?
9. Where did you meet your best friend?
10. Where are you going after work?

WHICH (used to ask about choices)

1. Which color do you prefer, red or blue?
2. Which book are you reading right now?
3. Which country would you like to visit?
4. Which is your favorite season?
5. Which way should I turn at the intersection?
6. Which movie should we watch tonight?
7. Which team won the game last night?
8. Which dress looks better on me?
9. Which language do you find easier to learn?
10. Which phone do you recommend buying?

WHEN (used to ask about time)

1. When is your birthday?
2. When does the train arrive?
3. When will you finish your homework?
4. When did you start learning English?
5. When is the best time to visit Paris?
6. When are you coming home?
7. When did you last see your friend?
8. When does the store open?
9. When will the meeting start?
10. When is the deadline for this project?

HOW (used to ask about manner, condition, or quality)

1. How are you feeling today?
2. How do you cook pasta?
3. How far is the airport from here?
4. How did you learn to play the guitar?
5. How much does this cost?
6. How often do you exercise?
7. How long does it take to get there?
8. How can I improve my English?
9. How did you solve the problem?
10. How was your weekend?

WHY (used to ask for reasons)

1. Why are you late?
2. Why did you choose this university?
3. Why is the sky blue?
4. Why do you like pizza?
5. Why are you crying?
6. Why did the computer stop working?
7. Why should I exercise regularly?
8. Why did you move to this city?
9. Why is it important to drink water?
10. Why are you learning English?

WHO (used to ask about people, subject)

1. Who is your best friend?
2. Who wrote this book?
3. Who won the game last night?
4. Who is coming to the party?
5. Who teaches you math?
6. Who invented the telephone?
7. Who is your favorite actor?
8. Who is responsible for this project?
9. Who is the president of your country?
10. Who do you admire the most?

WHOM (used to ask about people, object)

1. Whom did you invite to the party?
2. Whom are you talking about?
3. Whom did you give the gift to?
4. Whom should I contact for more information?
5. Whom did they hire for the job?
6. Whom are you going to meet?
7. Whom did you see at the concert?
8. Whom do you trust the most?
9. Whom did she call last night?
10. Whom are you writing the letter to?

WHOSE (used to ask about possession)

1. Whose book is this?
2. Whose car is parked outside?
3. Whose idea was it to start this project?
4. Whose phone is ringing?
5. Whose bag is on the table?
6. Whose turn is it to clean the room?
7. Whose house are we going to?
8. Whose shoes are these?
9. Whose painting won the competition?
10. Whose dog is barking outside?