Learn how to form and use WH questions (what, where, when, why, who, how) to ask for information in basic English.
Learn to ask questions in English using WH words. These questions help you get information and have conversations with people.
| Question word | Asks about | Example |
|---|---|---|
| What | things, actions, ideas | What do you do? What is this? |
| Where | place or location | Where do you live? Where is the bank? |
| When | time | When do you start? When is your birthday? |
| Who | people (subject) | Who is your teacher? Who called? |
| Why | reason | Why are you late? Why do you study English? |
| How | manner, way, condition | How are you? How do I get there? |
| Which | choice between options | Which colour do you prefer? |
WH questions use the same word order as yes/no questions, with the question word at the front: WH word + auxiliary + subject + main verb. 'Where do you live?' not 'Where you live?'
WH questions are special questions that start with words like What, Where, When, Who, Why, and How. These questions help you get specific information in conversations.
• Are you happy? → Yes/No
• Do you like pizza? → Yes/No
• Can you swim? → Yes/No
Short answers only
• What is your name? → My name is...
• Where do you live? → I live in...
• When is the party? → The party is...
Need more information
WH question or Yes/No question?
✓ Do you like coffee? → Yes/No question
✓ What is your favorite color? → WH question
✓ Are you a student? → Yes/No question
✓ Where is the bathroom? → WH question
Imagine you are at a busy market. You see many things around you, and you want to know more.
"You ask: "What is that fruit?" (You want to know the name.)"
"You ask: "Where can I find bread?" (You want to know the place.)"
"You ask: "When does the market close?" (You want to know the time.)"
"You ask: "How much is this?" (You want to know the price.)"
Notice how every question starts with a WH-word to find out specific information. This is why we call them information questions!
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Each WH word asks for different information. Learn what each one means and when to use it.
Asks about: Things, objects
What is your name?
What do you like?
What color is it?
Asks about: Places, location
Where do you live?
Where is the school?
Where are my keys?
Asks about: Time, date
When is your birthday?
When does the class start?
When are you coming?
Asks about: People
Who is your friend?
Who are you?
Who likes pizza?
Asks about: Reason, cause
Why are you happy?
Why is she crying?
Why do you study English?
Asks about: Method, way, condition
How are you?
How do you say this?
How old are you?
Choose the correct WH word:
1. __________ is your favorite food? (What/Where)
2. __________ do you go to school? (When/Who)
3. __________ is that woman? (What/Who)
1. What (asks about things/food)
2. When (asks about time)
3. Who (asks about people)
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WH questions have a simple structure. Most questions follow this pattern.
WH word + helping verb + subject + main verb
Where do you live?
What do you like?
With "to be" (am/is/are)
Where are you?
What is your name?
Where + do + you + work?
Where do you work?
What + does + she + like?
What does she like?
Where + are + you?
Where are you?
What + is + your name?
What is your name?
Want to try a WH Questions quiz?
Practice with multiple choice questions
These are the most common WH questions you will use in everyday conversations.
Meeting people
Origin/nationality
Age
Job/profession
Home address
Health/feelings
• A: What's your name? B: My name is Maria.
• A: Where are you from? B: I'm from Spain.
• A: How old are you? B: I'm 25 years old.
• A: What do you do? B: I'm a student.
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Ready to test your WH Questions knowledge?
Challenge yourself with fill-in-the-blank exercises
❌ You live where?
✓ Where do you live?
❌ What your name?
✓ What is your name?
❌ How you are?
✓ How are you?
❌ When you come?
✓ When do you come?
❌ Who is she name?
✓ What is her name?
❌ Where you from?
✓ Where are you from?
Master WH Questions sentence building!
Drag and drop words to form correct sentences
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To practice your pronunciation, listen to the native speaker audio first. Then 'Record' yourself repeating what you heard, then use the 'Playback' button to compare your pronunciation with the native speaker. If you want to record yourself again, simply click 'Delete'!
What is your name?
Where do you live?
When is your birthday?
Who is your teacher?
Why are you learning English?
How old are you?
What time is it?
How are you today?
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