What are the two main types of questions in English?

In English, we use questions to ask for information or to confirm something. There are two main types:

• Yes/No Questions: These questions expect a “yes” or “no” answer. For example, Do you like pizza? (Answer: Yes, I do. or No, I don’t.)

• Wh- Questions: These questions ask for specific information. They start with a “Wh- word” like What, Where, When, Why, Who, Whose, or How. For example, Where do you live? (Answer: I live in Madrid.)

How do I form Yes/No questions?

To make a Yes/No question, we usually change the word order of a statement. We put the auxiliary verb (like do, does, have, has) or the verb be (am, is, are) before the subject.

• With the verb be (am, is, are):

  • Statement: You are happy.

  • Question: Are you happy?

  • Statement: She is a student.

  • Question: Is she a student?

• With have got:

  • Statement: You have got a car.

  • Question: Have you got a car?

  • Statement: He has got a new phone.

  • Question: Has he got a new phone?

• With modal verbs (can, must, should, etc.):

  • Statement: You can speak English.

  • Question: Can you speak English?

  • Statement: I must go now.

  • Question: Must I go now?

• With other verbs (using do/does):

  • For most other verbs in the present simple, we use do or does before the subject. The main verb stays in its base form.

  • Statement: You like coffee.

  • Question: Do you like coffee?

  • Statement: She works here.

  • Question: Does she work here?

How do I form Wh- questions?

Wh- questions ask for specific details. They always start with a "Wh- word" (or How), followed by an auxiliary verb or be, then the subject, and finally the main verb (if there is one).

• Common Wh- words: What (things, actions), Where (places), When (time), Why (reasons), Who (people), How (manner, condition).

• Structure: Wh- word + auxiliary verb / be + subject + main verb?

• Examples with be:

  • What is your name?

  • Where are you from?

  • How old is he?

• Examples with have got:

  • What have you got in your bag?

  • Who has got my pen?

• Examples with modal verbs (can):

  • What can I do for you?

  • Where can we meet?

• Examples with other verbs (using do/does):

  • What do you do?

  • Where does she work?

  • When do they finish?

How can I suggest things using questions?

Sometimes we use questions not to ask for information, but to suggest an idea or activity. These are common in everyday English.

• Why don't we...? (followed by the base form of the verb)

  • Why don't we go to the cinema tonight?

  • Why don't you ask your teacher?

• How about...? (followed by a noun or a verb ending in -ing)

  • How about a coffee?

  • How about going for a walk?

• What about...? (similar to How about...?)

  • What about tomorrow morning?

  • What about watching a movie?

Examples

• Is your name Maria?
• Do you live in a big city?
• Has he got a pet?
• Can she play the guitar?
• What time is it?
• Where do you usually go on holiday?
• When does the shop open?
• Why are you learning English?
• How about visiting the museum?

Practice

Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Spanish speakers sometimes make mistakes with word order when asking questions in English. Remember these key differences:

• Incorrect word order (direct translation from Spanish): In Spanish, you can often say "You are happy?" with rising intonation. In English, you must change the word order.

  • Wrong: You are happy?

  • Right: Are you happy?

• Missing do/does: For most verbs in the present simple (except be, have got, and modal verbs), you need do or does.

  • Wrong: You like coffee?

  • Right: Do you like coffee?

  • Wrong: She works here?

  • Right: Does she work here?

• Incorrect placement of auxiliary verb in Wh- questions: The auxiliary verb always comes after the Wh-word and before the subject.

  • Wrong: Where you live?

  • Right: Where do you live?

  • Wrong: What is your name is? (Redundant 'is')

  • Right: What is your name?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between Yes/No and Wh- questions?

Yes/No questions ask for a simple "yes" or "no" answer, like Are you ready? Wh- questions ask for specific information and start with words like What, Where, or When, for example, What is your favourite colour?

Why do I need to use 'do' or 'does' in some questions?

We use do or does as auxiliary verbs for most verbs in the present simple tense when forming questions (and negatives). For example, Do you like chocolate? or Does she speak French? We do not use them with be, have got, or modal verbs like can.

How will learning questions help me with the A2 Key exam?

For the A2 Key (KET) exam, you need to ask and answer questions correctly in the Speaking part. You might need to ask for information (Wh- questions) or confirm details (Yes/No questions) in Part 2 (Collaborative Task) or Part 1 (Personal Questions). Good question formation shows you can communicate effectively.

What are some common Wh- words I should know?

The most common Wh- words are What (for things/actions), Where (for places), When (for time), Why (for reasons), Who (for people), and How (for manner or condition).