Types of Questions in English English Grammar

General Questions (Yes/No Questions)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Structure                                                                                                                                                                  Examples

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Auxiliary verb + Subject +                                               Is she reading? Do they

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Main verb                                                                                                  work here?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Answers

Yes, she is. No, they don't.

Special Questions (Wh- Questions)

Formation                                                  Examples         Wh- Words

Wh- word + Auxiliary verb + Subject +            •     Who called?  Who, What, Where, When, Why, How

^{Main verb}                                                             • What are you doing?

                                                                                                                                                               • Where does he live?

Alternative Questions

   Purpose                                    Formation

Offer a choice between two General question + "or" + or more options alternative

   Examples

Is it hot or cold? Do you want tea or coffee?

Tag Questions

Definition

Short question added at end of statement

Purpose

To get confirmation or agreement

Examples

She is here, isn’t she? They don’t like it, do they?

Structure

Statement + "," + Auxiliary verb

(opposite) + Subject (pronoun)

Indirect Questions

Use

Embedded in statements or other questions

Formation

                                                    •    Intro phrase + Wh- word + Subject + Verb

Examples

•              Could you tell me what time it is?

•              I wonder where she went.

Note

Direct word order after question word

Subject Questions