CEFR A2

    Forming Questions

    Learn how to create clear and correct questions in English. Practice forming yes/no questions and WH-questions in different tenses to improve your conversations.

    Learn How to Form Questions

    What You Will Learn

    Master the art of asking questions in English! Learn to form yes/no questions and WH-questions correctly in different tenses for effective communication.

    Form yes/no questions using auxiliary verbs
    Create WH-questions with correct word order
    Ask questions in different tenses (present, past, future)
    Avoid common mistakes in question formation

    What Are Questions in English?

    Move the auxiliary verb BEFORE the subject: auxiliary + subject + main verb?

    Do you like coffee?Does she speak French?Are they coming?Can you help me?Have you finished?

    Short answers

    Match the auxiliary in short answers: 'Do you like it?' → 'Yes, I do.' / 'No, I don't.' Never just say 'Yes' or 'No' alone in formal speech.

    Questions are essential for communication - they help us get information, make requests, and start conversations. There are two main types of questions in English.

    Yes/No (Closed) Questions

    Expect yes or no answer

    Start with auxiliary verb

    "Do you like coffee?"

    "Are you coming to the party?"

    WH (Open) Questions

    Ask for specific information

    Start with WH-word

    "Where do you live?"

    "What is your name?"

    Key Pattern!

    Question Word Order: Auxiliary + Subject + Main Verb

    Do you like coffee?

    Where do you live?

    Are you coming?

    📖 A New Student

    On the first day of class, Maria asked the teacher: 'Where is the library?'

    Another student asked her: 'Do you speak English well?' Maria smiled and said: 'I'm learning!'

    At lunch, someone asked: 'Who wants to sit together?' Maria raised her hand.

    By the end of the day, she had asked many questions and made three new friends.

    Asking questions is the best way to learn and make friends — don't be afraid to ask!

    How to Form Questions Correctly

    Follow these simple rules to form questions correctly in English.

    Yes/No Questions

    Auxiliary + Subject + Main Verb

    Do you speak English?

    Are they coming?

    Has she finished?

    Can you help me?

    WH-Questions

    WH-word + Auxiliary + Subject + Main Verb

    What do you want?

    Where does he live?

    When did you arrive?

    How can I help?

    Special Cases

    "Who/What" as Subject

    Who called you? (not "Who did call?")

    What happened? (no auxiliary needed)

    Modal Verbs

    Can you swim? (modal = auxiliary)

    Will they come? (modal = auxiliary)

    Try It

    Make these statements into questions:

    1. "You speak English." → __________?

    2. "She lives in London." → Where __________?

    3. "They can help." → __________ they help?

    💡 💡 Check your answers

    1. Do you speak English? (add auxiliary "do")

    2. Where does she live? (WH-word + auxiliary + subject + base verb)

    3. Can they help? (modal verb becomes auxiliary)

    WH-Words and Their Uses

    Each WH-word asks for a different type of information.

    What
    things/activities
    Where
    place/location
    When
    time
    Why
    reason
    How
    manner/way
    Which
    choice
    Who
    people
    Whose
    possession

    New Question Examples

    Which book would you recommend? (asking about choice)
    Can you help me? (modal verb question)
    What time does it start? (specific time question)

    Want to try a Forming Questions quiz?

    Practice with multiple choice questions

    Questions in Different Tenses

    Learn how to form questions in the most common English tenses.

    Present Tenses

    Present Simple

    Do you work here?

    Does she like coffee?

    Present Continuous

    Are you studying?

    Is it raining?

    Past & Future Tenses

    Past Simple

    Did you go yesterday?

    Did they call you?

    Future with Will

    Will you come?

    When will it start?

    Important Rule

    ❌ You like coffee? (missing auxiliary)
    ✓ Do you like coffee? (correct with auxiliary)

    Ready to test your Forming Questions knowledge?

    Challenge yourself with fill-in-the-blank exercises

    Common Mistakes

    ❌ You like coffee?

    ✓ Do you like coffee?

    ❌ Where you went yesterday?

    ✓ Where did you go yesterday?

    ❌ Who did call you?

    ✓ Who called you?

    ❌ Does she can swim?

    ✓ Can she swim?

    ❌ What time starts the meeting?

    ✓ What time does the meeting start?

    Master Forming Questions sentence building!

    Drag and drop words to form correct sentences

    Practice Tips

    Practice turning statements into questions: "You like pizza" → "Do you like pizza?"
    Remember: Auxiliary verb comes before the subject in questions
    Practice with new question types: Which, Can, What time
    With modal verbs, the modal becomes the auxiliary verb
    Use the speaking practice section to improve your pronunciation and intonation

    Speaking Practice

    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'!

    Excuse me. Do you speak Spanish?

    Where can I buy a ticket to see the show tonight?

    When will you next visit your grandparents?

    Why are people not doing more to fight global warming?

    How do your mum and dad get to work each day?

    Have you been to the new cinema in the mall before?

    Which book would you recommend for beginners?

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