Wh Question

words
Considered as adverbs in the correct
grammar sense but also as pronouns,
adjectives and exclamations in some
cases.
 The use of Wh question
words
We use Wh question words to give specific
information concerning specific requests. We
call them Wh question words because those
specific adverbs begin with the letters Wh. There
are 6 Wh words. There is also the adverb How
that is also considered as a specific question
words but not a Wh word.
 The Wh question words
generally used
There are 6 Wh question words.
Each one expresses a specific
notion or answer which is specified
in the question. Those words are
What When Who
Where Why Which
 WHAT
What is used in a question to What color is your
express a notion about
something or the nature of that shirt?
thing. It refers to an object, a
pastime or hobby, a sport, a What time is it ?
quality, to enumerate only a
few. But it never refers to aWhat is your
person. In using what we are telephone number ?
looking for a thing
What is your
favourite dish?
 WHERE
Where is used in a question to express a specific place, a
specific address that the person wants to know. It can also
be used to know the intention of one’s moving or
traveling.
Where are you
moving to ?
Where do you live?
Where are you going
Where do you
on you vacation ?
play golf ?
 WHEN
When is used in a question to express what a person
wants to know about the specific time or moment of an
action that is occurring or that has occurred.

When are you going to When were you

school ? born ?
When was the Second When did you
World War fought ? get married ?
Why is used in a question to
refer to the reason of an WHY
occurred action or event. It
also refers to the cause of Why did you break
the occurred event or action.
this window ?
This event or action has
been done or is taking place. Why were you late ?
Past tense and compound
verbs are used in the Why are you
question.
skating ?
Why are you crying ?
 Who
Who is used in a question to refer to a person
(subject ) that is doing an action. Who can only
be used in questions requesting the name of a
person.
Who is this Doctor ?
Who is she ?
Who did you talk to
Who is the new
yesterday ?
student ?
 WHICH
Which is used in a
question to express a
Which do you
choice or a preference prefer in your
about the likes and coffee, milk or
dislikes of a person. cream ?
Often, in the question,
Which colours do
the person will have the
choice of two or more
you want for your
things. bedroom ?
How is known as
being an adverb.
HOW
Nevertheless, it is still How are you
used as a question
feeling today ?
word. In the question
it expresses the How can you run 10
manner in which an miles without being
action is done, a tired ?
person is feeling How are you going
and/or a means of
to the party tonight ?
transportation.
 ADVERBS ?????
The adverbs How and What are
also considered in specific
cases as pronouns, adjectives
and exclamations depending on
how they are used. It is not
important to know how to
analyse them in a sentence. But
it is important to know how to
recognize them in a sentence
What and How can be
matched either with a
preposition, an
adjective, an adverb or
simply used with an
exclamation mark. The
following charts show
you those different
notions.
Q-words Notion Examples
Quantity, amount, How much time do
HOW MUCH you have ?
price, non-
countable I have two hours
before I go
Number, quantity, How many students
HOW MANY are there ?
countable
There are 32 students
Person (object) Whom did you see ?
WHOM
I saw the players

Possession Whose pen is this ?

WHOSE
It is mine

WHAT TIME Expresses time on What time is it ?

a clock It is 4 o’clock
Q-Words Notions Examples
Use, goal, objectives. What are you studying
WHAT FOR for ?
I’m studying for a
school exam
Expresses kinds of What kind of car do
WHAT KIND things you have?
OF I have a Toyota
Expresses different What size are your
WHAT SIZE sizes of things shoes ?
I wear size 7 shoes
Expresses time in How early do you get
HOW EARLY advance up ?
Early hours I get up at 6:30 a.m.
Lateness, delay, late How late did you get in
HOW LATE hours yesterday ?
I got in at 9:00 p.m.
 Q-words Notion Examples
Expresses How long is the movie ?
HOW duration, a precise
LONG lapse of time.

Expresses the How often do you play

HOW frequency of a tennis ?
OFTEN given action

Expresses the How far is the post office ?

HOW FAR notion of distance
of a given object.
Expresses the How near is the tennis
HOW NEAR proximity of an court?
object

Expresses the How well did you do in the

HOW WELL notion of the exam ?
perfection in which
something is done
Q-WORDS Notion Examples
How long is this
HOW LONG All these
rope ?
Q-words express How wide is this
HOW WIDE measures of truck?
different kind like How large is this
building ?
HOW LARGE duration, width, How high is that
height, speed and pole ?
HOW HIGH size How tall are you ?
How fast are you
driving ?
HOW TALL

HOW FAST
 Q-words Notion Example
Expresses the age of How old is this dress ?
HOW OLD an object, person or
thing

Finally you can see that a large range of

possibilities exist in the use of Wh question
words. Now it is up to you to practice those
words in order to master them:
 Now for exercising!!!

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3