THE

STRUCTURE OF QUESTIONS IN ENGLISH

INFORMATION QUESTIONS

WH HV Subject MV The rest of the NOTE: If the verb BE is
Question Word Helping Verb (N/PN/Name) Main Verb sentence! the only verb, (the Main Verb),
it goes in HV place
EX: Why is he absent?" 1
What does this word mean?
How many gifts is he buying for his family?
How did you feel after the accident? NEVER use Helping Verb DO
Why isn't the teacher going to return our quiz yet with Main Verb BE!
Who(m) can I study with?

YES/NO QUESTIONS
NOTE: If the verb BE is
HV Subject MV The rest of the the only verb, (the Main
Helping Verb (N/PN/Name) Main Verb sentence! Verb), it goes in HV place.
EX: Are the cookies ready?"

Does it mean "expensive"?
Is he buying gifts for his family?
Did you feel scared? NEVER use Helping Verb DO
Is the teacher going to return our quiz yet? with Main Verb BE!
Can I study with my best friend?

SUBJECT QUESTIONS 2
NOTE: If the verb BE is

Subject MV The rest of the
the only verb, put it into
(who/what) all verb forms sentence!
the MAIN VERB place.
EX: Who/What was that?
Who taught you that word?
Who is buying the gifts?
What happened?
What is going to happen tomorrow?

1 When BE is used in progressive/perfect/modal forms, it is NOT the only verb in the sentence. In these situations, it works like other verbs:

Why are they being so unkind to us?

Where has he been all day?
How old will she be on her birthday?
2 There are other kinds of Subject Questions: What kind of people should take this class? How many students were late for class?