Master WH Questions: Examples & Tips — ESL Advice (2024)

This article covers the following areas –

• Structure of WH Questions
• 1. What: Used to Ask for Information about Things or Actions
• 2. Where: Used to Ask about Places
• 3. When: Used to Ask about Time
• 4. Who: Used to Ask about People
• 5. Whose: Used to Ask about Possession
• 6. Why: Used to Ask for Reasons
• 7. Whom: Used to Ask about People
• 8. Which: Used to Ask for any Specific Information
• 9. How: Used to Ask about Manners or Quantity
• How to Respond to WH-questions
• Final Note
• Let’s Practice Now – Quiz
• Frequently Asked Questions

WH-words like “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how” are essential for asking questions in English. These WH questions are used daily in conversations to gather specific information and better understand others. In this guide, tips, examples, and quizzes will help you master WH-questions, boost your language skills, and gain confidence.

Interrogative sentences or questions that begin with wh-words: what, when, where, who, whom, which, whose, why, and how are called wh-questions. We use wh-questions to ask about specific qualities, manners, reasons, processes, things, times, places, choices, possessions, people, etc.

Here are some examples of such sentences:

1. What do you want?
2. Where do you come from?
3. When will you go to bed?
4. Who is that man?
5. Whose book is this?
6. Why are you crying?
7. Whom do you like most?
8. Which dress do you prefer?
9. How are you?

Note: Although “How” does not begin with “W” and “H,” it is considered to be a wh-word. The letters “W” and “H” are present in “How” but in a different order.

In this part, I’ll discuss the structure of wh-questions and provide examples of all the nine wh-words in sentences. Moreover, later in this post, I‘ll show how to respond to wh-questions. Let’s go!

Structure of WH Questions

Wh-questions are essential for asking specific questions. They can be formed in two ways: with a helping verb and without a helping verb. This structure determines how the question is framed and what information it seeks to gather. Understanding both structures helps in mastering English communication.

1. With Helping Verb

When forming wh-questions with a helping verb, the structure is –

Wh-word + Helping verb + Subject + Main verb + …?

Examples:

• “What do you prefer for dinner?” Here, “What” is the wh-word, “do” is the helping verb, “you” is the subject, and “prefer” is the main verb.
• “Why should they go there too early?” In this case, “Why” is the wh-word, “should” is the helping verb, “they” is the subject, and “go” is the main verb.
• “When will they leave for the station?” Here, “When” is the wh-word, “will” is the helping verb, “they” is the subject, and “leave” is the main verb.

2. Without Helping Verb

Wh-questions can also be formed without a helping verb. This often happens when the wh-word acts as the question’s subject.

Examples:

• “What happened to Samuel?” In this question, “What” is the wh-word acting as the subject, and “happened” is the main verb.
• “Who called you?” Here, “Who” is the wh-word acting as the subject, and “called” is the main verb.
• “Who bought you this car?” Similarly, “Who” is the wh-word acting as the subject, and “bought” is the main verb.

Now, let’s look at the uses of all the wh-words in wh-questions.

1. What: Used to Ask for Information about Things or Actions

“What” is used to ask for information about things or actions. “What” helps gather details about something or an action. For example, “What are you doing now?” asks about a current action. “What are you looking for?” seeks information about a thing.

The word “What” is one of the common wh-words used to ask for information about something or any action. For example:

• What are you doing now? (Current action)
• What are you looking for? (Object or thing)
• What did you eat for breakfast? (Specific meal)
• What will you wear to the party? (Future clothing choice)
• What did she say in the meeting? (Action or speech in meeting)

Remember! “What” is also used in indirect questions. For example:

• The teacher asked the students what their preferences regarding the exam date were. (Students’ preferences)
• Jim wonders what his brother does nowadays. (Brother’s current activities)
• She asked what the weather would be like tomorrow. (Future weather information)
• They want to know what the plan is for the weekend. (Weekend plans)
• He wondered what his friends thought about the new movie. (Opinions about the movie)

2. Where: Used to Ask about Places

“Where” is used to ask for information about places. “Where” helps gather details about locations. For example, “Where did you get this?” asks about the place of origin. “Where have you been for the last couple of years?” seeks information about past locations.

“Where” is used to ask for information about places. For example:

• Where did you get this? (Place of origin)
• Where have you been for the last couple of years? (Past locations)
• Where do you find such beautiful showpieces? (Location of items)
• Where is the nearest hospital? (Location of a place)
• Where are you going for vacation? (Future destination)

Note: “Where” is also used in indirect questions. For example:

• I asked my students where they wanted to go for an excursion. (Students’ preferred destination)
• He called me to know where I was yesterday morning. (Past location)
• She wondered where her friends had disappeared to. (Friends’ location)
• They inquired where the meeting would be held. (Meeting location)
• We discussed where the best restaurants are in town. (Location of restaurants)

3. When: Used to Ask about Time

“When” is used to ask for information about the time of any action. “When” helps gather details about timing. For example, “When will you go to the gym?” asks about future plans. “When did they meet you?” seeks information about a past event.

We use the word “when” to ask for information about the time of any action. Let’s see some examples:

• When will you go to the gym? (Future plans)
• When did they meet you? (Past event)
• When do you wake up? (Daily routine)
• When is your birthday? (Specific date)
• When does the movie start? (Event timing)

Remember! “When” is also used in indirect questions. For example:

• John asked us when we would be there. (Future arrival)
• The client wonders when we will be able to meet. (Meeting time)
• She questioned when the project would be completed. (Project completion)
• He wants to know when the next bus arrives. (Bus schedule)
• They asked when the store opens. (Store hours)

4. Who: Used to Ask about People

“Who” is used to ask for information about people. “Who” helps gather details about individuals. For example, “Who is the captain of the team?” asks about a specific person’s role. “Who do you talk to about your problems?” seeks information about a helper.

“Who” is a wh-word used to ask for information about people. For example:

• Who is the captain of the team? (Specific person’s role)
• Who do you talk to about your problems? (Helper)
• Who helps you most? (Main helper)
• Who is your favorite teacher? (Preferred person)
• Who did you invite to the party? (Guest list)

Note: We also use “Who” in indirect questions and statements. For example:

• Please tell me to who I should send the parcel. (Recipient)
• I can’t tell you who gave it to me. (Giver’s identity)
• She asked who would be attending the meeting. (Attendees)
• He wonders who will be the next president. (Future leader)
• They are curious about who created the artwork. (Artist)

5. Whose: Used to Ask about Possession

“Whose” is used to ask for information about one’s possession. “Whose” helps gather details about ownership. For example, “Whose car is this?” asks about the car’s owner. “Whose computer is this?” seeks information about the computer’s owner.

We use “Whose” to ask for information about one’s possession. For example:

• Whose car is this? (Car owner)
• Whose computer is this? (Computer owner)
• Whose are these books? (Books owner)
• Whose jacket is on the chair? (Jacket owner)
• Whose phone rang just now? (Phone owner)

Remember! We can use “Whose” in indirect questions. For example:

• The stranger wondered whose the phone was. (Phone ownership)
• He asked me whose flat this is. (Flat ownership)
• She inquired whose dog was barking. (Dog ownership)
• They wondered whose idea it was. (Idea ownership)
• We discussed whose responsibility it was. (Responsibility ownership)

6. Why: Used to Ask for Reasons

“Why” is used to ask for reasons or explanations. “Why” helps gather details about the cause or purpose. For example, “Why do you like this place most?” asks for a reason. “Why are they so weak?” seeks an explanation for weakness.

The wh-word “Why” is used to ask for reasons or explanations. Let’s see some examples:

• Why do you like this place most? (Reason for preference)
• Why are they so weak? (Explanation for weakness)
• Why did he call you? (Reason for the call)
• Why is the sky blue? (Scientific explanation)
• Why did you leave early? (Reason for leaving)

Note: “Why” is also used to make indirect questions and statements. For example:

• They asked me why I missed the last class. (Reason for absence)
• I don’t know why he did it. (Reason for action)
• She wondered why the project failed. (Reason for failure)
• He asked why she was crying. (Reason for crying)
• We discussed why the event was canceled. (Reason for cancellation)

7. Whom: Used to Ask about People

“Whom” is used to ask for information about people, typically as the object of “who.” “Whom” helps gather details about individuals in the context of their relationships or actions. For example, “Whom do you work with?” asks about someone one collaborates with.

“Whom” is also used to ask for information about people as we use “Who.” However, we use “Whom” as the object of “Who.” For example:

• Whom do you work with? (Person you collaborate with)
• Whom did they finally hire for the project? (Person hired)
• Whom will you select for the job? (Person selected)
• Whom are you waiting for? (Person waited for)
• Whom did she invite to the party? (Person invited)

Remember! We also use “Whom” in indirect questions or statements. For example:

• He didn’t meet the man whom I sent. (Man sent)
• They asked me with whom I visited India. (Person visited with)
• She wondered whom he trusted most. (Person trusted)
• I don’t know whom to ask for help. (Person to ask)
• We discussed whom to include in the team. (Person included)

8. Which: Used to Ask for any Specific Information

“Which” is used to ask for specific information about anything. “Which” helps gather details about a particular choice or preference. For example, “Which one is yours?” asks about a specific item. “Which bike would you like to buy?” seeks information about a preferred bike.

We use “Which” to ask for any specific information about anything. Some examples can be:

• Which one is yours? (Specific item)
• Which bike would you like to buy? (Preferred bike)
• Which teacher is your favorite? (Favorite teacher)
• Which color do you prefer? (Preferred color)
• Which book did you read last? (Specific book)

Note: We also use “Which” in indirect questions and statements. For example:

• Let them decide which one to buy. (Specific choice)
• She knows which machine is not working. (Specific machine)
• He asked which route to take. (Specific route)
• They wondered which option was best. (Best option)
• We discussed which project to start next. (Next project)

9. How: Used to Ask about Manners or Quantity

“How” is used to ask for information about the manner, degree, or quantity of anything. “How” helps gather details about ways, amounts, or conditions. For example, “How do you go to the office?” asks about the method. “How hot is the coffee?” seeks the degree of heat.

“How” is a wh-word used to ask for information about the manner, degree, or quantity of anything. Examples are:

• How do you go to the office? (Method)
• How hot is the coffee? (Degree of heat)
• How old are you? (Age)
• How much does it cost? (Price)
• How long is the movie? (Duration)

Remember! “How” is also used to make indirect questions or statements. For example:

• I have no clue how fit he is now. (Current fitness)
• Did you know how difficult the situation was? (Difficulty level)
• She asked how the meeting went. (Meeting outcome)
• He wondered how many people would attend. (Number of attendees)
• They discussed how the project could be improved. (Improvement methods)

How to Respond to WH-questions

As we use wh-questions to ask for information about people, things, places, etc., we cannot answer them with “Yes” or “No.” We are expected to provide specific information in response to wh-questions.

Let’s see some examples.

Final Note

Every day, we interact with friends, colleagues, family members, and even strangers, often seeking or providing information. Effective communication relies heavily on understanding and using different questions, with wh-questions being among the most crucial.

Wh-questions are essential for gathering specific information. They use question words like who, what, where, when why, and how to explore various details about people, places, times, reasons, and methods. Mastering the use of wh-questions enhances our ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

In this post, we’ve delved into the structure and usage of wh-questions. Depending on the context and the specific information we seek, we can form them with or without a helping verb. Understanding these structures allows us to ask precise questions and improve our interactions.

Using wh-questions helps us navigate daily conversations with ease. Whether asking about someone’s day, finding directions, or learning new information, these questions are invaluable tools for effective communication.

Let’s Practice Now – Quiz

Frequently Asked Questions