Mastering English Question Structures for Clear Communication

Understanding how to form different types of questions is crucial for effective communication in English. This reference breaks down compound questions, questions with end prepositions, and indirect questions, providing clear examples and explanations.

Compound Questions: What, Which, Whose, How

Compound questions often use interrogative words like What, Which, Whose followed by a noun, or How followed by an adjective or adverb. These structures allow for more specific inquiries.

• Which café do you want to go to?
• How well do you know her?
• What/Which food are you going to take to the picnic?
• How surprised was he when he saw you at the station?
• Which/What airport are you flying into?
• How long have you known her?
• What time is it?
• Which/What sweater should I wear?
• How big is your house?
• How far do you live from the beach?
• How good are you at basketball?
• How interesting did you find the lecture?
• How easily do students forget new vocabulary?
• Which number did you dial?
• Which/What friends are coming to the party?
• Which/What recipes are you trying today?
• Which/What political leader do you appreciate the most?
• Which restaurant did you go to?
• What information do you need?
• How trustworthy do you think he is?
• How quickly can you get here?

Questions Ending with Prepositions

In English, it's common for questions to end with a preposition, especially in informal contexts. This structure is grammatically correct and widely used.

• What are you thinking about?
• Who is she married to?
• What are they famous for?
• Who are you shouting at?
• Who are you with?
• Who do you sit by/with at the meeting?
• What are you working on?
• What are you looking for/at?
• What is the meeting about?
• Where is she from/at?
• Where do you come from?
• Where are you going to?
• Where do you eat at?
• Who are you going to vote for?
• What are you talking about?
• Where were they at last night?

Common Verb and Adjective Preposition Combinations

Many verbs and adjectives are naturally followed by specific prepositions. Understanding these combinations helps in forming correct questions.

• comes from
• interested in
• talking about
• good at mathematics
• listening to the sound
• back home with
• looking for
• went to Germany
• surprised by the colour
• frightened of tigers
• thinking about
• belongs to
• danced with
• afraid of
• stayed in/at the only place

Transforming Statements into Questions with Prepositions

Here's how to form questions when the answer involves a prepositional phrase:

• Statement: They will be frightened of tigers.
  Question: What will they be frightened of?
• Statement: She comes from South Africa.
  Question: Where does she come from?

Indirect Questions: Politeness and Structure

Indirect questions are a more polite way to ask for information. They are embedded within another statement or question and follow statement word order (subject + verb) after the introductory phrase.

• Direct: “Where’s the station?”
  Indirect: “Can you tell me where the station is?”
• Direct: “Are you coming to the party?”
  Indirect: “Can you let me know if you are going to the party?”
• Direct: “How does your alarm clock work?”
  Indirect: “Can you explain how your alarm clock works?”
• Direct: “What was the problem?”
  Indirect: “Please tell me what the problem was.”
• Direct: “Where did you live when you were in the States?”
  Indirect: “I’d like to know where you lived in the States.”
• Direct: “How long have you been studying English?”
  Indirect: “Do you know how long you have been studying English?”
• Other common introductory phrases: Could you tell me...?, Do you know if...?, I wanted to know..., Tell me..., Can you remind me...?