WH Question Words
We use question words to ask certain types of questions (question word questions).
We often refer to these words as WH words because they include the letters WH (for example WHy, HoW).
| question word | function | example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 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? |
Reference and Further Reading
- Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar 2014 Oxford University Press
- The Penguin Dictionary of English Grammar R.L.Trask 2005 Penguin Books
- Practical English Usage Michael Swan 2005 Oxford University Press