10 Questions
Which auxiliary verbs are used to form questions with tenses?
do / does or did
In what situations do we often use negative questions?
To demonstrate surprise
Where does the preposition come when a verb is normally followed by one in a question?
At the end of the question
Which form should be used in questions where 'who/what/which' is the subject?
Without any auxiliary verb
What type of questions do we use to ask more politely?
Indirect questions
What is the correct word order for indirect questions?
Subject + verb
Which phrase can be used in questions without a question word?
Could you tell me
Which of the following is an incorrect form for an indirect question?
...where does he live?
How do we form indirect questions after 'I wonder'?
'I wonder what time it starts.'
Which question has the correct word order for an indirect question?
'Should I tell her how feel?'
Study Notes
Question Formation
- We make questions with tenses using auxiliary verbs (be, have, etc.) and modal verbs (should, must, etc.) by inverting the subject and the auxiliary/modal verb.
- With the present and past simple, we add the auxiliary verb do/does or did before the subject.
Types of Questions
- Negative questions are used to show surprise when we expect somebody to agree with us, or to check whether something is true.
- Indirect questions are used to ask a question in a more polite way, beginning with a phrase such as Can/Could you tell me...?, Do you know...?, etc.
Word Order
- In indirect questions, the order is subject + verb.
- We don't use do/did in the second part of the question.
- If a verb is normally followed by a preposition, the preposition comes at the end of the question, not at the beginning.
- When who/what/which, etc., is the subject of questions in the present or past simple, we don't use do/did.
Grammar Bank
- Indirect questions start with a phrase such as Can/Could you tell me...?, Do you know...?, etc.
- Compare: direct question (What time does the post office open?) and indirect question (Could you tell me what time the post office opens?).
- We can use if or whether in questions without a question word and after: Can you tell me, Do you know, etc.
Examples
- Can you tell me what time the shop next door opens?
- Do you know if (whether) Mark's coming to the meeting?
- I wonder why they didn't come.
- I'm not sure what time it starts.
- I can't remember where I left my phone.
- I'd like to know what time you're coming home.
Exercise
- Order the words to make questions:
- Why can't you come tomorrow?
- How long have you known your best friend?
- Could you tell me when the next train leaves?
- What are you thinking about?
- What do you like doing at the weekend?
- What kind of music does Jane like listening to?
- Complete the questions with the words in brackets:
- Where did you go on holiday last year? (you / go)
- How often do you exercise? (you usually do)
- Who wrote Oliver Twist? (write)
- Could you tell me how much this costs? (this / my car / this)
Test your knowledge on forming questions using auxiliary verbs (be, have, etc.) and modal verbs (should, must, etc.). Practice constructing questions in various tenses and with different auxiliary and modal verbs.
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