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Writer's pictureFakhruddin Babar

WH Questions



In English, there is a specific type of question known as a "WH question." These questions are considered open-ended because they can have various answers, and they typically start with words beginning with "WH."

You can utilize WH questions to gather information about people, places, ideas, or things. For instance, "Where are you from?" prompts diverse responses from different individuals.



1. What…?

  • Description: Use "what" to inquire about a thing or idea. The answer typically involves a noun.

  • Examples:

  1. What is your preferred method of studying?

  2. What did you have for breakfast?

  3. What do you think about the new policy?

  4. What is the capital of France?

  5. What are your plans for the weekend?

2. When…?

  • Description: Employ "when" to ask about a specific time or date.

  • Examples:

  1. When is your birthday?

  2. When did you start learning English?

  3. When will the concert take place?

  4. When was the last time you visited a museum?

  5. When is the deadline for the project?

3. Where…?

  • Description: Use "where" to inquire about a place or location.

  • Examples:

  1. Where did you spend your last vacation?

  2. Where is the nearest grocery store?

  3. Where would you like to travel next?

  4. Where is your favorite spot in the city?

  5. Where did you find that interesting article?

4. Who…?

  • Description: Utilize "who" to ask about a person or people.

  • Examples:

  1. Who is your role model?

  2. Who attended the meeting yesterday?

  3. Who is the author of this book?

  4. Who is responsible for the project's success?

  5. Who is your favorite teacher?

5. Why…?

  • Description: Use "why" to seek a reason or explanation. Answers typically include the word "because."

  • Examples:

  1. Why did you choose this career path?

  2. Why are you interested in learning a new language?

  3. Why did you miss the appointment?

  4. Why do you enjoy hiking?

  5. Why is regular exercise important?

6. Which…?

  • Description: Use "which" to inquire about a specific choice among options.

  • Examples:

  1. Which movie do you prefer, action or comedy?

  2. Which class are you taking this semester?

  3. Which book should I read first?

  4. Which team do you support in the sports league?

  5. Which route is faster to reach downtown?

7. Whose…?

  • Description: Start questions with "whose" to determine ownership.

  • Examples:

  1. Whose phone is ringing?

  2. Whose idea was it to organize the event?

  3. Whose turn is it to make a presentation?

  4. Whose car are we taking to the party?

  5. Whose house did you visit last weekend?

8. Whom…?

  • Description: Use "whom" to ask about a person, often in formal contexts. It refers to the object of the sentence.

  • Examples:

  1. Whom did you meet at the conference?

  2. With whom are you collaborating on the project?

  3. Whom should I contact for further assistance?

  4. To whom did you address the letter?

  5. Whom did you invite to the celebration?

9. How…?

  • Description: Use "how" to ask about the manner, method, or condition of something.

  • Examples:

  1. How did you learn to play the piano?

  2. How can I improve my time management skills?

  3. How was your experience at the music concert?

  4. How far is the airport from your house?

  5. How is your day going so far?


Summary

Who

  • Used to identify a person.

  • Example: Who is that gentleman standing over there?

What

  • Used to identify a thing.

  • Example: What is that interesting gadget on the table?

Which

  • Used to tell two (or more) things apart.

  • Example: Which book did you prefer, the mystery or the adventure?

Where

  • Used to identify a place.

  • Example: Where is your favorite vacation spot?

When

  • Used to identify a time.

  • Example: When is the next train arriving at the station?

Why

  • Used to identify a reason.

  • Example: Why did she decline the job offer?

Whose

  • Used to identify possession.

  • Example: Whose beautiful garden is this?

What kind

  • Used to identify a type/kind.

  • Example: What kind of camera do you use for photography?

How

  • Used to explain a way/method.

  • Example: How did you manage to fix the broken vase so perfectly?

How long

  • Used to explain length or duration.

  • Example: How long does it take to complete the entire course?

How far

  • Used to identify distance.

  • Example: How far is the nearest supermarket from your house?

How much/many/little/few

  • Used to identify quantity.

  • Example: How much sugar do you need for the recipe?

How often

  • Used to explain frequency.

  • Example: How often do you practice playing the guitar?




Forming WH Questions


How to Form WH Questions in English

1. With an Auxiliary Verb:

  • WH-questions often take the form of wh- + an auxiliary verb (be, do, or have) + subject + main verb or wh- + a modal verb + subject + main verb.

  • Examples:

  1. Be: When are you planning to leave?

  2. Have: What has she accomplished recently?

  3. Do: Where do your friends live?

  4. Modal: Who would she choose to stay with?

  • Additional Examples:

  1. Be: Who is playing the piano?

  2. Have: What have they discovered so far?

  3. Do: Why did he miss the meeting?

  4. Modal: Where should we go for lunch?

2. Without an Auxiliary Verb:

  • In cases where what, who, which, or whose acts as the subject, or part of the subject, there is no need for an auxiliary verb. The structure becomes subject + verb.

  • Examples:

  1. Subject + Verb: Who owns this magnificent mansion?

  2. Subject + Verb: What fell off the shelf?

  3. Subject + Verb: Whose phone is ringing loudly?

  4. Subject + Verb: Which book captivated your attention?

  • Additional Examples:

  1. Subject + Verb: Who designed this beautiful dress?

  2. Subject + Verb: What happened during the meeting?

  3. Subject + Verb: Whose idea was this innovative project?

  4. Subject + Verb: Which team won the championship?


3. Comparing Structures:

  • Recognizing the distinction between subject and object in WH-questions is vital. When who, what, which, or whose serves as the subject, no auxiliary verb is used. When these pronouns function as the object, an auxiliary verb is required.

  • Examples:

  1. Subject (Who): Who owns this unique sculpture?

  2. Object (Who): Who did you choose as your partner?

  3. Subject (What): What fell off the wall?

  4. Object (What): What did you observe during the experiment?

  • Additional Examples:

  1. Subject (Whose): Whose car is parked outside?

  2. Object (Whose): Whose keys did you find?

  3. Subject (Which): Which movie impressed you the most?

  4. Object (Which): Which book are you currently reading?



Examples with explanation


1. Who possesses this handbag?

  • Explanation:

2. Whom do you cherish the most?

  • Explanation:

3. Who designed this dress?

  • Explanation:

4. Whose phone is ringing incessantly?

  • Explanation:

5. Who captured your attention in the meeting?

  • Explanation:



 Framing Multiple WH Questions

  1. Statement: She is going to the market.

  • WH Questions:

  • Where is she going?

  • To whom is she going?

  • Whom is she going with?

  • Why is she going to the market?

  1. Statement: They have finished their homework.

  • WH Questions:

  • What have they finished?

  • Whom did they finish it with?

  • Why did they finish their homework?

  • How long did it take to finish their homework?

  1. Statement: We visited the museum yesterday.

  • WH Questions:

  • When did we visit the museum?

  • Where is the museum located?

  • Whom did we meet at the museum?

  • Why did we visit the museum?

  1. Statement: I can swim across the lake.

  • WH Questions:

  • What can I swim across?

  • How often do I swim across the lake?

  • Whom have I swum across the lake with?

  • Why do I swim across the lake?

  1. Statement: The concert starts at 8 PM.

  • WH Questions:

  • When does the concert start?

  • Where is the concert?

  • Whom will be performing at the concert?

  • Why are you attending the concert?

  1. Statement: It is his favorite book.

  • WH Questions:

  • What is his favorite book?

  • Whose book is it?

  • Why is it his favorite book?

  • How did he discover the book?

  1. Statement: Mary will join the party.

  • WH Questions:

  • Who will join the party?

  • Whom is the party for?

  • Why will Mary join the party?

  • How is Mary getting to the party?

  1. Statement: He was reading a fascinating article.

  • WH Questions:

  • What was he reading?

  • Whom did he discuss the article with?

  • Why was the article fascinating to him?

  • How long did he spend reading the article?

  1. Statement: The movie ended in applause.

  • WH Questions:

  • How did the movie end?

  • Where did the movie end?

  • Whom received applause for the movie?

  • Why did the audience applaud at the end?

  1. Statement: She doesn’t know the answer.

  • WH Questions:

  • What doesn't she know?

  • Whom can she ask for the answer?

  • Why doesn't she know the answer?

  • How can she find out the answer?


WH Questions: Practice Test:

  • Now, let's apply these methods to create practice questions.

  1. “____ is the name of your dog?” [What, How]

  2. “____ ____ oranges did you buy?” [How many, How far]

  3. “____ did you grow up?” [Who, Where]

  4. “____ is your favorite actor?” [Who, When]

  5. “____ ____ is the movie?” [How come, How long]

  6. “____ did you study biology?” [Which, Why]

  7. “____ handbag is this?” [Where, Whose]

  8. “____ car did you buy?” [Why, Which]

  9. “____ did you make that?” [How, Who]

  10. “____ ____ away is the office?” [How much, How far]

  11. “____ should we send this box to?” [Why, Whom]

  12. “____ ____ is your father?” [How old, How many]

  13. “____ did you talk to?” [Whom, Where]

  14. “____ ____ did your jacket cost?” [How much, How old]

  15. “____ did you buy this house?” [Whose, When]

  16. “____ ____ you went to university?” [How far, How come]


Answers:

  1. “What is the name of your dog?”

  2. “How many oranges did you buy?”

  3. “Where did you grow up?”

  4. “Who is your favorite actor?”

  5. “How long is the movie?”

  6. “Why did you study biology?”

  7. “Whose handbag is this?”

  8. “Which car did you buy?”

  9. “How did you make that?”

  10. “How far away is the office?”

  11. “Whom should we send this box to?”

  12. “How old is your father?”

  13. “Whom did you talk to?”

  14. “How much did your jacket cost?”

  15. “When did you buy this house?”

  16. “How come you went to university?”


Exercise: Frame WH Questions

  1. Statement: She is going to the market.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: They have finished their homework.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: We visited the museum yesterday.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: I can swim across the lake.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: The concert starts at 8 PM.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: It is his favorite book.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: Mary will join the party.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: He was reading a fascinating article.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: The movie ended in applause.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: She doesn’t know the answer.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: You should call the doctor.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: They were discussing the project.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: We will go camping next weekend.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: The cat caught a mouse.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: It's their anniversary today.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: The students are presenting their projects.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: He won the first prize.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: They couldn't solve the puzzle.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: I met your sister at the bookstore.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: This is the best movie of the year.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: She played the piano beautifully.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: The meeting has been rescheduled.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: The kids built a sandcastle on the beach.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: He ate the entire pizza.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: We should buy a new car.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: She is writing a novel.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: The plane will land in an hour.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: I found your keys in the living room.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: It rained all night.

  • WH Question: _________?

  1. Statement: They adopted a puppy from the shelter.

  • WH Question: _________?


Answers:

  1. Where is she going?

  2. What have they finished?

  3. When did we visit the museum?

  4. What can I swim across?

  5. When does the concert start?

  6. What is his favorite book?

  7. Who will join the party?

  8. What was he reading?

  9. How did the movie end?

  10. What doesn't she know?

  11. Who should you call?

  12. What were they discussing?

  13. When will we go camping?

  14. What did the cat catch?

  15. Whose anniversary is it today?

  16. What are the students presenting?

  17. Who won the first prize?

  18. What couldn't they solve?

  19. Who did you meet at the bookstore?

  20. What is the best movie of the year?

  21. How did she play the piano?

  22. When has the meeting been rescheduled?

  23. What did the kids build on the beach?

  24. What did he eat?

  25. What should we buy?

  26. What is she writing?

  27. When will the plane land?

  28. Where did I find your keys?

  29. How long did it rain?

  30. What did they adopt from the shelter?



Corrections

Correction Exercise: WH Questions

  1. Original: Where she lives?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Who is the person which wrote this letter?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: How much siblings have you?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Why you didn't attend the meeting?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Whom is that book belongs to?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: What you thought about the movie?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: When you will arrive at the airport?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Which is the reason you are late?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: How long you know him?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Whose is this beautiful painting?

  • Correction: ____________

Answers:

  1. Where does she live?

  2. Who is the person who wrote this letter?

  3. How many siblings do you have?

  4. Why didn't you attend the meeting?

  5. To whom does that book belong?

  6. What did you think about the movie?

  7. When will you arrive at the airport?

  8. What is the reason you are late?

  9. How long have you known him?

  10. Whose beautiful painting is this?


Correction Exercise: WH Questions

  1. Original: What you want to eat for lunch?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Whose is this phone ringing in the meeting?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Where you found your lost keys?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: How much hours do you sleep every night?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Who is the person whom you invited for the event?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: When you will finish your assignment?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Which are the shoes you like most?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: How come she didn't attend the party?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: What kind of music you listen to?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: How long is your journey to work?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Whom you met at the park yesterday?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Why she wasn't selected for the job?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: What much money did you spend on that watch?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: When is your sister birthday?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Which you prefer, tea or coffee?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: How many books you read last month?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Who you invited to the party last night?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Where you bought your new laptop?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: Whose is that cute puppy barking outside?

  • Correction: ____________

  1. Original: How often you go to the gym?

  • Correction: ____________

Answers:

  1. What do you want to eat for lunch?

  2. Whose phone is ringing in the meeting?

  3. Where did you find your lost keys?

  4. How many hours do you sleep every night?

  5. Whom did you invite for the event?

  6. When will you finish your assignment?

  7. Which shoes do you like most?

  8. How come she didn't attend the party?

  9. What kind of music do you listen to?

  10. How long is your journey to work?

  11. Whom did you meet at the park yesterday?

  12. Why wasn't she selected for the job?

  13. How much money did you spend on that watch?

  14. When is your sister's birthday?

  15. Which do you prefer, tea or coffee?

  16. How many books did you read last month?

  17. Whom did you invite to the party last night?

  18. Where did you buy your new laptop?

  19. Whose cute puppy is barking outside?

  20. How often do you go to the gym?


Correction:


Incorrect Sentences:

  1. What you want to eat for lunch?

  2. Whose is this phone ringing in the meeting?

  3. Where you found your lost keys?

  4. How much hours do you sleep every night?

  5. Who is the person whom you invited for the event?

  6. When you will finish your assignment?

  7. Which are the shoes you like most?

  8. How come she didn't attend the party?

  9. What kind of music you listen to?

  10. How long is your journey to work?

  11. Whom you met at the park yesterday?

  12. Why she wasn't selected for the job?

  13. What much money did you spend on that watch?

  14. When is your sister birthday?

  15. Which you prefer, tea or coffee?

  16. How many books you read last month?

  17. Who you invited to the party last night?

  18. Where you bought your new laptop?

  19. Whose is that cute puppy barking outside?

  20. How often you go to the gym?

  21. What your plans for the weekend?

  22. When you can come for the meeting?

  23. Which color your car is?

  24. Why you didn't join the team?

  25. How much people attended the concert?

  26. Whom you borrowed the umbrella from?

  27. What much water should I drink daily?

  28. Why he doesn't like sushi?

  29. When is the next flight to Paris?

  30. Which your favorite movie genre?



Correct Sentences with Explanation :

  1. Correct: What do you want to eat for lunch?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence uses the auxiliary verb "do" to form a proper WH question.

  1. Correct: Whose phone is ringing in the meeting?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence properly identifies possession by using the auxiliary verb "is."

  1. Correct: Where did you find your lost keys?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence includes the auxiliary verb "did" for correct question formation.

  1. Correct: How many hours do you sleep every night?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence correctly uses the auxiliary verb "do" and forms a complete question.

  1. Correct: Whom did you invite for the event?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence uses the correct pronoun "whom" and places the auxiliary verb "did" at the beginning.


  1. Correct: When will you finish your assignment?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence uses the auxiliary verb "will" to inquire about the future.

  1. Correct: Which shoes do you like most?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence properly forms a WH question with the auxiliary verb "do."

  1. Correct: How come she didn't attend the party?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence uses "how come" to inquire about the reason and includes the correct auxiliary verb "did."

  1. Correct: What kind of music do you listen to?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence properly forms a WH question about the type of music with the auxiliary verb "do."

  1. Correct: How long is your journey to work?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence correctly forms a WH question about the duration of the journey.

  1. Correct: Whom did you meet at the park yesterday?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence uses the correct pronoun "whom" and places the auxiliary verb "did" at the beginning.

  1. Correct: Why wasn't she selected for the job?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence uses "why" to inquire about the reason and includes the correct auxiliary verb "was."

  1. Correct: How much money did you spend on that watch?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence correctly forms a WH question about the amount of money with the auxiliary verb "did."

  1. Correct: When is your sister's birthday?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence properly inquires about the specific time using the auxiliary verb "is."

  1. Correct: Which do you prefer, tea or coffee?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence correctly forms a WH question about preference using the auxiliary verb "do."

  1. Correct: How many books did you read last month?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence forms a WH question about quantity using the auxiliary verb "did."

  1. Correct: Whom did you invite to the party last night?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence uses the correct pronoun "whom" and places the auxiliary verb "did" at the beginning.

  1. Correct: Where did you buy your new laptop?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence uses the auxiliary verb "did" for correct question formation.

  1. Correct: Whose cute puppy is barking outside?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence properly identifies possession by using the auxiliary verb "is."

  1. Correct: How often do you go to the gym?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence correctly forms a WH question about frequency using the auxiliary verb "do."

  1. Correct: What are your plans for the weekend?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence forms a WH question about plans using the auxiliary verb "are."

  1. Correct: When can you come for the meeting?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence inquires about a specific time using the auxiliary verb "can."

  1. Correct: What color is your car?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence properly forms a WH question about color using the auxiliary verb "is."

  1. Correct: Why didn't you join the team?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence uses "why" to inquire about the reason and includes the correct auxiliary verb "didn't."

  1. Correct: How many people attended the concert?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence forms a WH question about quantity using the auxiliary verb "did."

  1. Correct: Whom did you borrow the umbrella from?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence uses the correct pronoun "whom" and places the auxiliary verb "did" at the beginning.

  1. Correct: How much water should I drink daily?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence correctly forms a WH question about quantity using the auxiliary verb "should."

  1. Correct: Why doesn't he like sushi?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence uses "why" to inquire about the reason and includes the correct auxiliary verb "doesn't."

  1. Correct: When is the next flight to Paris?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence properly inquires about a specific time using the auxiliary verb "is."

  1. Correct: Which is your favorite movie genre?

  • Explanation: The corrected sentence forms a WH question about preference using the auxiliary verb "is."


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