wh-word + be + subjectWith be, the wh-word comes first and be comes before the subject.
Wh-Questions
A1Wh-questions ask for real information, not yes/no. Start with who, what, where, when, why, or how, then use question word order.
What you'll learn
- Choose the wh-word that matches the answer you need.
- Build wh-questions with am, is, or are in the right order.
- Build wh-questions with do or does plus the base verb.
- Ask about the subject with who or what without do or does.
- Use open questions when you want specific information.
Structure
wh-word + do/does + subject + base verbUse do or does for Present Simple questions. The main verb stays in the base form.
who/what + verbIf who or what is the subject, use normal statement order and no do/does.
Build a sentence
Wh-word
Subject
Verb / be
Wheredoesshelive
Where does she live?
After does, use the base verb: eat, live, work.
When to use
Ask about people
Use who when you want a person as the answer. Who is your manager?
Ask about place
Use where when you want a location. Where do they live?
Ask about time
Use when when you want a day, date, or time. When is the meeting?
Ask for reason or method
Use why for a reason and how for method or state. Why is Tom late? How do you cook rice?
Markers
whowhatwherewhenwhyhow
Common mistakes
Wrong
Where she is?
Correct
Where is she?
In wh-questions with be, be goes before the subject.
Wrong
Where you work?
Correct
Where do you work?
In Present Simple, most wh-questions need do or does before the subject.
Wrong
Where does Anna works?
Correct
Where does Anna work?
After does, the main verb stays in the base form without -s.
Wrong
Who does live here?
Correct
Who lives here?
When who is the subject, do not add do or does.
Wrong
Where is your teacher? — Mr. Brown.
Correct
Who is your teacher? — Mr. Brown.
Use who when the answer is a person.
Common misconceptions
❝ Every wh-question needs do or does. ❞
No. Questions with be use be, and subject questions with who or what do not use do or does.
❝ Any wh-word is fine if the sentence order is correct. ❞
The wh-word changes the meaning of the question. Choose the one that matches the answer you want.
Skills in this rule (6)
PICK_THE_RIGHT_WH_WORDw5Choose the right wh-word for the information you want
Use who for people, what for things or actions, where for places, when for time, why for reasons, and how for method or state.
PUT_WH_WORD_BEFORE_BEw5Build wh-questions with be by putting the wh-word before be
With be, start with the wh-word, then use am, is, or are, then the subject. This pattern asks for missing information in simple present situations.
PUT_WH_WORD_BEFORE_DO_DOESw5Build wh-questions with do or does plus the base verb
In Present Simple, put the wh-word first, then do or does, then the subject, then the base verb. After does, the main verb has no -s.
ASK_ABOUT_SUBJECT_WITH_WHO_WHATw4Ask about the subject with who or what without do or does
When who or what is the subject of the question, use who/what + verb. Do not add do or does.
USE_OPEN_QUESTIONS_FOR_DETAILSw3Use wh-questions to ask for specific details
Use wh-questions when yes or no is not enough and you need a person, thing, place, time, reason, or method as the answer.
RECOGNIZE_COMMON_WH_WORDSw3Recognize common wh-words in questions
Common starters like who, what, where, when, why, and how signal an open question and show what kind of answer to give.