question word + auxiliary + subject + main verb + ?This is the normal order for wh-questions when the question word is not the subject.
Question Word Order
A2Standard wh-questions use question word + auxiliary + subject + main verb. If who is the subject, use who + verb.
What you'll learn
- Put the question word first in a standard wh-question.
- Place the auxiliary before the subject after the question word.
- Use do, does, or did when no other auxiliary is present.
- Keep the main verb in base form after do, does, or did.
- Use who + verb when who is the subject of the question.
Structure
question word + do/does/did + subject + base verb + ?Use this pattern when there is no other auxiliary in the statement.
who + verb + complement + ?When who is the subject, do not add do, does, or did.
Build a sentence
Question word
Subject
Verb
Wheredoyouwork?
Where do you work?
With you in the present, use do before the subject.
When to use
Missing details
Ask for place, time, reason, person, thing, or method: Where do you work? When does class start? Why did Tom leave?
Everyday questions
Use this order in normal spoken and written English when you ask for information politely and clearly.
Unknown person
When you ask which person did something, who is the subject: Who called Maria? Who lives here?
Markers
whatwherewhenwhywhohow
Common mistakes
Wrong
Where you are going?
Correct
Where are you going?
After the question word, put the auxiliary before the subject in a standard question.
Wrong
Where you work?
Correct
Where do you work?
If there is no other auxiliary, add do, does, or did.
Wrong
What does he wants?
Correct
What does he want?
After does, the main verb stays in the base form.
Wrong
What did Anna bought?
Correct
What did Anna buy?
Did already shows the past. The main verb returns to the base form.
Wrong
Who did call you?
Correct
Who called you?
Here who is the subject, so do or did is not used.
Common misconceptions
❝ Every wh-question needs do, does, or did. ❞
No. Use do, does, or did only when there is no other auxiliary and the question word is not the subject.
❝ After the question word, I can keep normal statement order. ❞
In standard English, the auxiliary moves before the subject: Where are they? What did Tom say?
Skills in this rule (6)
PUT_WH_FIRSTw4Start the question with the question word
Put what, where, when, why, who, or how at the start when you ask for missing information. The rest of the question follows after it.
AUX_BEFORE_SUBJECTw5Put the auxiliary before the subject after the question word
In standard wh-questions, the auxiliary comes right after the question word, then the subject. This pattern works with be, do, have, and modal verbs.
USE_DO_DOES_DID_WHEN_NEEDEDw5Use do, does, or did when there is no other auxiliary
If the sentence has no be, have, or modal verb, add do, does, or did in the question. The main verb stays in the base form after it.
KEEP_MAIN_VERB_BASE_AFTER_DOw4Keep the main verb in the base form after do, does, or did
After do, does, or did, do not add -s or past form to the main verb. The auxiliary carries the tense and person.
ASK_FOR_SPECIFIC_INFORMATIONw3Choose the right question word for the information you want
Use where for place, when for time, why for reason, what for things or actions, who for people, and how for method or condition.
WHO_AS_SUBJECT_NO_AUXw4Use who + verb when who is the subject
When who asks about the person doing the action, who itself is the subject. In that pattern, do/does/did is not used.