Framing Questions is the process of converting declarative statements into interrogative sentences. Questions in English are primarily categorized into Yes/No Questions, Wh- Questions, and Question Tags.
1. General Word Order for Questions
The standard structure for forming questions requires placing an auxiliary (helping) verb before the subject:
- Yes/No Questions: Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + Object?
- Wh- Questions: Question Word + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + Object?
2. Question Words (Wh- Words) & Their Uses
| Question Word | Function / Target Information | Example Statement → Question |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Asks about a person (Subject) | John called me. → Who called you? |
| Whom | Asks about a person (Object) | She met the director. → Whom did she meet? |
| Where | Asks about a place or position | They live in Tokyo. → Where do they live? |
| When | Asks about time or date | The train leaves at 5 PM. → When does the train leave? |
| Why | Asks about a reason or cause | He was late due to traffic. → Why was he late? |
| What | Asks about a thing, action, or idea | She is reading a novel. → What is she reading? |
| Which | Asks about a choice among options | I like the blue shirt. → Which shirt do you like? |
| How | Asks about manner, state, or method | He solved it with ease. → How did he solve it? |
3. Auxiliary Verb Insertion Rules (Do / Does / Did)
When a statement lacks a visible helping verb (like is, are, can, will, have), use Do, Does, or Did based on the tense and subject:
| Tense / Subject | Auxiliary Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple (Plural / I / You / We / They) | Do | They play chess. → Do they play chess? |
| Present Simple (Singular / He / She / It) | Does (+ Base Verb) | She works here. → Does she work here? |
| Past Simple (All Subjects) | Did (+ Base Verb) | He bought a car. → What did he buy? |
4. Rules for Framing Question Tags
- Positive Statement → Negative Tag: You are a student, aren't you?
- Negative Statement → Positive Tag: She hasn't arrived, has she?
- Special Imperative Tag: Pass me the salt, will you / can you?
- "I am" Tag Exception: I am invited, aren't I?
Interactive Worksheet: Framing Questions
Select a worksheet set below to test your question framing skills. Options are randomized for every attempt.
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