Wh- questions (question words)
Learn how to ask wh- questions with what, when, where, who, whom, which, whose, why and how, with word order rules and example answers.
In this lesson
Wh- questions are questions that start with a question word, such as what, when, where, who, whom, which, whose, why and how. We use them to ask for information, not for a yes or no answer. For example: Where do you live? I live in Colombo.
Key point
Put the question word first. Then use question order: auxiliary or modal verb + subject + main verb. For example: Where do you live? When will you come?
What are the question words in English?
Most question words begin with the letters wh, so we call them wh- questions. How is also part of this group. Each word asks about a different kind of information.
| Question word | Used to ask about | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| What | Things | What do you need? What is your name? |
| When | Time | When is your birthday? When are you leaving? |
| Where | Places | Where is my book? Where do you live? Where are you from? |
| Who | People | Who are you? Who is your best friend? |
| Whom | People (the object of the verb) | To whom should we send the invitation? To whom did she throw the ball? |
| Which | Choices | Which one do you choose? Which one is yours? |
| Whose | Possession (who owns something) | Whose pencil is this? Whose books are these? |
| Why | Reasons or causes | Why do you like pizza? Why is she crying? |
| How | Condition, quality, manner or process | How was the party? How can I go there? |
How do you form wh- questions?
There are three main patterns. Look at the verb in your question to choose the right one.
1. With an auxiliary verb
Question word + auxiliary + subject + main verb …? The auxiliary can be be, do, does, did, have or has. Revise do and does in our simple present tense lesson, and did in the simple past tense lesson.
Examples
- When is she coming?
- What do you need?
- Why did you cry?
2. Without an auxiliary verb
Question word + main verb …? We use this pattern when who or what is the subject of the question, the person or thing that does the action.
Examples
- What happened to him?
- Who won the game?
- Who talks to him?
Common mistake
Who did win the game? → Who won the game? When who is the subject, do not add do, does or did.
3. With a modal verb
Question word + modal verb + subject + main verb …? Modal verbs include can, could, should, will and would. See our simple future tense lesson for questions with will.
Examples
- Why should we help him?
- How can I get his number?
- When will you meet her?
Common mistake
Where you live? → Where do you live? Do not forget the auxiliary verb. With be, put it before the subject: What you are doing? → What are you doing?
Questions and answers with each question word
Read these questions and answers. Notice that each answer gives information, not just yes or no.
What
Examples
- What is this? This is a pencil.
- What are you doing now? I am reading a book.
- What did you eat? I ate an apple.
When
Examples
- When is your birthday? My birthday is on the 14th of May.
- When will you leave? I will leave at around 3.30 pm.
- When did she come? She came last week.
Where
Examples
- Where does she live? She lives in France.
- Where are you going? I am going to school.
- Where did you keep my bag? I kept it on the table.
Who
Examples
- Who are you? I am John Cooper.
- Who was your best friend at school? My best friend was Sam.
- Who helped him? His best friend helped him.
Whom
Examples
- Whom do you want to meet? I want to meet Mr Alex.
- Whom does he call? He calls Jenny.
- Whom did Sam meet? He met Alexandra.
Note
Whom is formal. In everyday English, most people use who instead: Who do you want to meet? After a preposition, whom is still common in formal writing: To whom should we send it?
Which
Examples
- Which do you like more, reading novels or watching movies? I like watching movies.
- Which TV series is your favourite? My favourite TV series is Game of Thrones. / Game of Thrones is my favourite TV series.
- Which bag is yours? The black one is mine.
Tip
Use which when there is a small, clear choice (this bag or that bag). Use what when the choice is open: What is your favourite food?
Whose
Examples
- Whose parents did they meet? They met Lila’s parents.
- Whose phone does Alex use? He uses his mother’s phone.
- Whose pencil is this? This is my pencil. / This pencil is mine.
Why
Examples
- Why doesn’t he study? He doesn’t like studying.
- Why did she cry? She cried because her mother blamed her.
- Why is he angry? He is angry because of his girlfriend.
How
Examples
- How is she now? She is fine.
- How was the party? It was fun.
- How can I help you? Can you help me find this dress in blue? / Please help me find this dress in blue.
Questions with is, am and are follow the same order. You can practise them in our lesson on the verb be (am, is, are). For more examples, read the Cambridge Dictionary grammar guide to question words and the British Council LearnEnglish lesson on question forms.
Summary
- Wh- questions start with what, when, where, who, whom, which, whose, why or how.
- They ask for information, so the answer is not just yes or no.
- Usual order: question word + auxiliary or modal + subject + main verb.
- When who or what is the subject, do not use do, does or did: Who won the game?
- Whom is formal. In everyday English, people usually say who.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 9 wh- question words?
They are what, when, where, who, whom, which, whose, why and how. How does not start with wh, but it works in the same way.
What is the difference between who and whom?
Who can be the subject or the object of a question. Whom is only the object and sounds formal, so in everyday speech most people use who.
Why do we say Who won? and not Who did win?
When who is the subject of the question, we use the normal statement order with no auxiliary. Compare: Who won the game? (subject) and Who did you meet? (object).
Where does the question word go in a sentence?
In a direct question, the question word goes at the beginning: Where are you going? It comes before the auxiliary or modal verb.
