WH Question Words

 

We use question words to ask certain types of questions (question word questions). We often refer to them as WH words because they include the letters WH (for example WHy, HoW).

Question Word	Function	Example
what	asking for information about something	What is your name?
	asking for repetition or confirmation	What? I can't hear you. You did what?
what...for	asking for a reason, asking why	What did you do that for?
when	asking about time	When did he leave?
where	asking in or at what place or position	Where do they live?
which	asking about choice	Which colour do you want?
who	asking what or which person or people (subject)	Who opened the door?
whom	asking what or which person or people (object)	Whom did you see?
whose	asking about ownership	Whose are these keys? Whose turn is it?
why	asking for reason, asking what...for	Why do you say that?
why don't	making a suggestion	Why don't I help you?
how	asking about manner	How does this work?
	asking about condition or quality	How was your exam?
how + adj/adv	asking about extent or degree	see examples below
how far	distance	How far is Pattaya from Bangkok?
how long	length (time or space)	How long will it take?
how many	quantity (countable)	How many cars are there?
how much	quantity (uncountable)	How much money do you have?
how old	age	How old are you?
how come (informal)	asking for reason, asking why	How come I can't see her?

EXERCISES

What - When - Where - Why - Who - How

I. Choose the correct alternative.

1) ................ are my keys?

2) ................ is the problem?

3) ................ is your favourite singer? 

4) ................ is your birthday?

5) ................ old are you?     I'm ten years old.

6) ................ is your telephone number?

7) ................ are you from?

8) ................ is your best friend? 

9) ................ is your e-mail?

10) ................ are you?    - I'm fine, thanks.

11) ................ is your graduation?   - Next week.

12) ................ is she crying?    - Because she is sad.

13) ................ is your last name?     - Gonzalez.

14) ................ is your favourite actor?   - Anthony Hopkins.

15) ................ old is your cat?      - Two years old.

   

II. Choose the right option.

1) ................. is the concert?

What    Who    Why     When  

2) ................. is Cristiano Ronaldo from?

 How    When    Where    Why

3) ................. are you so happy?    I'm getting married!

 When   How    What    Why

4) ................. is your brother?      He is still sick.

 Why    How    Where    What

5) ................. are you late?      Because of the traffic.

 Where    When    Why    How