Blog about English
Frequent learner mistakes involving English questions.
Practice: build the sentences →The form of an English question depends on whether it is a yes/no question, wh-question, subject question, object question, indirect question, or another special type.
Identify the type of question before choosing its word order and auxiliary.
Are you ready?
Ты готов?
A yes/no question begins with the auxiliary "are" before the subject.
Where do you live?
Где ты живёшь?
A wh-question uses the question word "where" followed by do-support.
Who called you?
Кто тебе позвонил?
A subject question does not use do-support.
Who did you call?
Кому ты позвонил?
An object question uses do-support with the base verb "call".
Do you know where she lives?
Ты знаешь, где она живёт?
An indirect question uses statement word order inside the embedded clause.
A question normally requires an auxiliary or modal unless the lexical verb itself is an appropriate form of be or the question has a special structure.
For example, Where do you live? rather than Where you live?
Where do you live?
Где ты живёшь?
The auxiliary "do" is required with the lexical verb "live".
What does she want?
Что она хочет?
The auxiliary "does" supports the lexical verb "want".
Did they enjoy the party?
Им понравилась вечеринка?
The auxiliary "did" supports the past simple verb "enjoy".
Can you swim?
Ты умеешь плавать?
The modal verb "can" acts as the auxiliary and requires no do-support.
Is she ready?
Она готова?
The verb "be" is its own auxiliary and requires no do-support.
Do-support is required with ordinary present and past simple lexical verbs when no other auxiliary is present.
For example, Does she work here? rather than Is she work here?
Does she work here?
Она здесь работает?
The auxiliary "does" is used with the base form "work".
Do they live in London?
Они живут в Лондоне?
The auxiliary "do" supports the lexical verb "live".
Did he call you?
Он тебе позвонил?
The auxiliary "did" supports the past simple verb "call".
Do you like coffee?
Ты любишь кофе?
The auxiliary "do" is used with the lexical verb "like".
Does it rain often here?
Здесь часто идёт дождь?
The auxiliary "does" supports the verb "rain".
Do-support is not normally used when be is the auxiliary or main verb.
For example, Is she ready? rather than Does she be ready?
Is she ready?
Она готова?
The verb "be" is used directly without "do".
Are they at home?
Они дома?
The verb "be" forms the question by inversion.
Was he tired?
Он был уставшим?
The past form "was" moves before the subject.
Were you late?
Ты опоздал?
The verb "be" does not take do-support.
Is it cold outside?
На улице холодно?
The main verb "be" is inverted with the subject.
Do-support is not normally used together with modal verbs.
For example, Can you swim? rather than Do you can swim?
Can you swim?
Ты умеешь плавать?
The modal "can" is used without do-support.
Will she come?
Она придёт?
The modal "will" moves before the subject.
Should we leave now?
Нам следует уйти сейчас?
The modal "should" forms the question by inversion.
Must he finish it today?
Он должен закончить это сегодня?
The modal "must" does not take "do".
Could you help me?
Не могли бы вы мне помочь?
The modal "could" is used without do-support.
After did, the lexical verb normally returns to its base form.
For example, Did she go? rather than Did she went?
Did she go?
Она пошла?
After "did", the verb "go" is in the base form.
Did you see him?
Ты видел его?
After "did", the verb "see" is in the base form.
Did they enjoy the film?
Им понравился фильм?
After "did", the verb "enjoy" is in the base form.
Did he finish his homework?
Он закончил домашнюю работу?
After "did", the verb "finish" is in the base form.
Did you eat breakfast?
Ты позавтракал?
After "did", the verb "eat" is in the base form.
After does, the lexical verb normally appears in the base form rather than the third-person singular form.
For example, Does he work here? rather than Does he works here?
Does he work here?
Он здесь работает?
After "does", the verb "work" is in the base form.
Does she like tea?
Она любит чай?
After "does", the verb "like" is in the base form.
Does it cost a lot?
Это стоит дорого?
After "does", the verb "cost" is in the base form.
Does he play football?
Он играет в футбол?
After "does", the verb "play" is in the base form.
Does she live in Paris?
Она живёт в Париже?
After "does", the verb "live" is in the base form.
In an ordinary direct question, the first auxiliary normally moves before the subject.
For example, Have you finished? rather than You have finished?
Have you finished?
Ты закончил?
The auxiliary "have" moves before the subject "you".
Are you coming?
Ты идёшь?
The auxiliary "are" moves before the subject "you".
Can she swim?
Она умеет плавать?
The modal "can" moves before the subject "she".
Will they arrive soon?
Они скоро прибудут?
The modal "will" moves before the subject "they".
Is he working?
Он работает?
The auxiliary "is" moves before the subject "he".
A normal subject question does not use do-support merely because the verb is in the present or past simple.
For example, Who called you? rather than Who did call you? except for deliberate emphasis.
Who called you?
Кто тебе позвонил?
The question word "who" is the subject, so no "do" is used.
What happened?
Что случилось?
"What" is the subject of the verb "happened".
Who wants ice cream?
Кто хочет мороженого?
"Who" is the subject and the verb "wants" agrees with it.
Which team won?
Какая команда победила?
"Which team" is the subject, so no do-support is needed.
Who broke the window?
Кто разбил окно?
"Who" is the subject and the verb "broke" is in the past simple without "did".
An object question in the simple present or past normally requires do, does, or did when there is no other auxiliary.
For example, Who did you meet? and What does she want?
Who did you meet?
Кого ты встретил?
The object question uses "did" with the base verb "meet".
What does she want?
Что она хочет?
The object question uses "does" with the base verb "want".
Who do they know?
Кого они знают?
The object question uses "do" with the base verb "know".
What did he buy?
Что он купил?
The object question uses "did" with the base verb "buy".
Which book does she prefer?
Какую книгу она предпочитает?
The object question uses "does" with the base verb "prefer".
The question word must be identified as the subject or object before selecting the word order.
Compare Who called you? with Who did you call?
Who called you?
Кто тебе позвонил?
"Who" is the subject, so no "did" is used.
Who did you call?
Кому ты позвонил?
"Who" is the object, so "did" is used.
What happened?
Что случилось?
"What" is the subject of "happened".
What did you do?
Что ты сделал?
"What" is the object of "do", so do-support is used.
Which team won?
Какая команда победила?
"Which team" is the subject.
An indirect question normally uses statement word order inside the embedded clause.
For example, Do you know where she lives? rather than Do you know where does she live?
Do you know where she lives?
Ты знаешь, где она живёт?
The embedded clause "where she lives" uses statement word order.
Can you tell me what he wants?
Можешь сказать мне, что он хочет?
The indirect question uses statement order: "what he wants".
I wonder when they will arrive.
Интересно, когда они прибудут.
The embedded clause "when they will arrive" has no inversion.
She asked why I was late.
Она спросила, почему я опоздал.
The indirect question uses the order "why I was late".
Do you remember how he did it?
Ты помнишь, как он это сделал?
The embedded clause "how he did it" keeps statement order.
Do-support used in a direct question normally disappears when the question is embedded in another clause.
For example, Do you know where he works? rather than Do you know where does he work?
Do you know where he works?
Ты знаешь, где он работает?
The direct question "Where does he work?" loses "does" in the indirect question.
Can you tell me what she wants?
Можешь сказать мне, что она хочет?
The direct question "What does she want?" becomes "what she wants".
I wonder when they arrived.
Интересно, когда они приехали.
The direct question "When did they arrive?" becomes "when they arrived".
She asked why I left.
Она спросила, почему я ушёл.
The direct question "Why did I leave?" becomes "why I left".
Do you remember how he solved it?
Ты помнишь, как он это решил?
The direct question "How did he solve it?" becomes "how he solved it".
An indirect question inside a statement does not normally make the entire sentence a question.
For example, I do not know where she lives. is a statement, while Do you know where she lives? is a question.
I do not know where she lives.
Я не знаю, где она живёт.
The indirect question is inside a statement, so no question mark is used.
Do you know where she lives?
Ты знаешь, где она живёт?
The main clause is a question, so a question mark is used.
She asked me what I wanted.
Она спросила меня, что я хотел.
The whole sentence is a statement, so it ends with a period.
Can you tell me when the meeting starts?
Можешь сказать мне, когда начинается встреча?
The main clause is a question, so a question mark is used.
I wonder if he is coming.
Интересно, придёт ли он.
The indirect question is part of a statement and takes a period.
If and whether can both introduce many indirect yes/no questions, but whether is preferred in some formal structures and before alternatives or a to-infinitive.
For example, I do not know whether to stay or leave.
I do not know whether to stay or leave.
Я не знаю, остаться или уйти.
"Whether" is preferred before alternatives and a to-infinitive.
I do not know if she is coming.
Я не знаю, придёт ли она.
"If" is common in informal indirect yes/no questions.
She asked whether I had finished.
Она спросила, закончил ли я.
"Whether" is preferred in more formal indirect questions.
Let me know if you need help.
Дай мне знать, если тебе нужна помощь.
"If" introduces a conditional clause here, not an indirect question.
I wonder whether he will agree.
Интересно, согласится ли он.
"Whether" is used in a formal embedded question.
Who is normal in most spoken and informal object questions, while whom is mainly associated with formal object positions.
For example, Who did you invite? is ordinary, while Whom did you invite? is formal.
Who did you invite?
Кого ты пригласил?
"Who" is ordinary in informal object questions.
Whom did you invite?
Кого ты пригласил?
"Whom" is the formal object form.
Who is coming?
Кто идёт?
"Who" is the subject form.
Whom should I contact?
С кем мне связаться?
"Whom" is used in a formal object position.
To whom did you speak?
С кем ты говорил?
"Whom" follows the preposition "to" in formal English.
Use what for a generally open set of possibilities and which for a defined or limited set.
For example, What do you want? versus Which one do you want, the red one or the blue one?
What do you want?
Что ты хочешь?
"What" is used for an open set of possibilities.
Which one do you want, the red one or the blue one?
Какой ты хочешь, красный или синий?
"Which" is used for a limited set.
What kind of music do you like?
Какую музыку ты любишь?
"What" asks about type in an open way.
Which film do you want to watch?
Какой фильм ты хочешь посмотреть?
"Which" selects from a known set of films.
What would you like to drink?
Что ты хотел бы выпить?
"What" is open-ended.
Use how much with uncountable nouns and how many with countable plural nouns.
For example, How much money? but How many books?
How much money do you need?
Сколько денег тебе нужно?
"How much" is used with the uncountable noun "money".
How many books did you buy?
Сколько книг ты купил?
"How many" is used with the countable plural noun "books".
How much water is there?
Сколько там воды?
"How much" is used with "water", an uncountable noun.
How many students are in the class?
Сколько студентов в классе?
"How many" is used with the countable plural noun "students".
How much time do we have?
Сколько у нас времени?
"How much" is used with the uncountable noun "time".
How long asks about duration or length, while how often asks about frequency.
For example, How long do you stay? versus How often do you visit?
How long do you stay?
Как долго ты остаёшься?
"How long" asks about duration.
How often do you visit?
Как часто ты навещаешь?
"How often" asks about frequency.
How long does the film last?
Сколько длится фильм?
"How long" asks about a period of time.
How often do you exercise?
Как часто ты тренируешься?
"How often" asks about repeated occurrences.
How long is the journey?
Какова продолжительность поездки?
"How long" asks about the length of time.
How far normally asks about distance, while how long can ask about duration or physical length.
For example, How far is the station? versus How long is the journey?
How far is the station?
Как далеко находится станция?
"How far" asks about distance.
How long is the journey?
Какова продолжительность поездки?
"How long" asks about duration.
How far did you run?
Как далеко ты пробежал?
"How far" asks about distance covered.
How long did you run?
Как долго ты бегал?
"How long" asks about time spent.
How long is the bridge?
Какова длина моста?
"How long" asks about physical length.
Whose is the possessive question word, while who's is a contraction of who is or who has.
For example, Whose bag is this? versus Who's coming?
Whose bag is this?
Чья это сумка?
"Whose" asks about possession.
Who's coming?
Кто идёт?
"Who's" is the contraction of "who is".
Whose car is parked outside?
Чья машина припаркована снаружи?
"Whose" shows possession.
Who's finished the report?
Кто закончил отчёт?
"Who's" is the contraction of "who has".
Whose idea was it?
Чья это была идея?
"Whose" asks about ownership or association.
How come can introduce a conversational question using statement word order rather than normal auxiliary inversion.
For example, How come you are late? rather than How come are you late?
How come you are late?
Почему ты опоздал?
"How come" is followed by statement word order "you are late".
How come she did not call?
Почему она не позвонила?
"How come" keeps statement order without inversion.
How come they left so early?
Почему они ушли так рано?
"How come" introduces a conversational question.
How come you never told me?
Почему ты мне никогда не говорил?
"How come" is followed by the subject and verb in statement order.
How come this is so expensive?
Почему это так дорого?
"How come" does not use auxiliary inversion.
Negative questions can express expectation, surprise, criticism, suggestion, or confirmation, so their meaning cannot always be inferred from negation alone.
For example, Didn't you call him? may imply that the speaker expected a call.
Didn't you call him?
Разве ты ему не позвонил?
The negative question may imply that the speaker expected a call.
Don't you like coffee?
Разве ты не любишь кофе?
The negative question can express surprise.
Isn't she coming?
Разве она не идёт?
The negative question may express expectation or surprise.
Won't you stay for dinner?
Не останешься ли ты на ужин?
The negative question can function as a suggestion or invitation.
Haven't we met before?
Разве мы не встречались раньше?
The negative question seeks confirmation.
Answers to negative questions follow the truth of the proposition rather than simply copying the polarity of the question.
For example, Didn't he come? Yes, he did means that he came; No, he didn't means that he did not come.
Didn't he come? Yes, he did.
Разве он не пришёл? Да, пришёл.
"Yes" confirms that he came, despite the negative question.
Didn't he come? No, he didn't.
Разве он не пришёл? Нет, не пришёл.
"No" confirms that he did not come.
Don't you like it? Yes, I do.
Разве тебе это не нравится? Нет, нравится.
"Yes" confirms the positive proposition.
Isn't she here? No, she isn't.
Разве она не здесь? Нет, её нет.
"No" confirms that she is not here.
Haven't you finished? Yes, I have.
Разве ты не закончил? Нет, закончил.
"Yes" confirms that the action is complete.
A positive statement normally takes a negative tag, while a negative statement normally takes a positive tag.
For example, She is here, isn't she? and She isn't here, is she?
She is here, isn't she?
Она здесь, не так ли?
A positive statement takes a negative tag.
She isn't here, is she?
Её здесь нет, не так ли?
A negative statement takes a positive tag.
You like coffee, don't you?
Ты любишь кофе, не так ли?
The positive statement takes the negative tag "don't you".
He didn't call, did he?
Он не позвонил, не так ли?
The negative statement takes the positive tag "did he".
They are coming, aren't they?
Они идут, не так ли?
The positive statement takes the negative tag "aren't they".
The auxiliary or modal in the tag normally matches the auxiliary or modal in the main statement.
For example, He has finished, hasn't he? and She can swim, can't she?
He has finished, hasn't he?
Он закончил, не так ли?
The auxiliary "has" in the statement matches "hasn't" in the tag.
She can swim, can't she?
Она умеет плавать, не так ли?
The modal "can" matches "can't" in the tag.
They are leaving, aren't they?
Они уезжают, не так ли?
The auxiliary "are" matches "aren't" in the tag.
You will come, won't you?
Ты придёшь, не так ли?
The modal "will" matches "won't" in the tag.
We should go, shouldn't we?
Нам следует идти, не так ли?
The modal "should" matches "shouldn't" in the tag.
Echo questions can use statement-like word order and final question words in conversation, so they should not always be forced into ordinary wh-question syntax.
For example, You bought what? can be a natural echo question, although What did you buy? is the ordinary information question.
You bought what?
Ты купил что?
The echo question uses statement word order with final "what".
What did you buy?
Что ты купил?
This is the ordinary information question with inversion.
She said what?
Она сказала что?
The echo question repeats the surprising information.
They are going where?
Они идут куда?
The echo question keeps declarative order.
You met who?
Ты встретил кого?
The echo question is conversational and does not use inversion.
A preposition can remain at the end of an ordinary question or occur before the question phrase in formal English.
For example, Who are you talking to? and To whom are you speaking?
Who are you talking to?
С кем ты разговариваешь?
The preposition "to" is stranded at the end of the question.
To whom are you speaking?
С кем вы говорите?
The preposition "to" is placed before "whom" in formal English.
What are you looking at?
На что ты смотришь?
The preposition "at" is stranded at the end.
Where are you from?
Откуда ты?
The preposition "from" is stranded in the common question.
With whom did she go?
С кем она пошла?
The preposition "with" precedes "whom" in formal style.
Informal conversation can use declarative word order with questioning intonation to seek confirmation.
For example, You're coming with us? can function as a question in speech.
You're coming with us?
Ты идёшь с нами?
The declarative word order with rising intonation forms a question.
She finished the project?
Она закончила проект?
The statement-shaped question seeks confirmation.
They moved to Berlin?
Они переехали в Берлин?
The declarative question expresses surprise.
He found a new job?
Он нашёл новую работу?
The declarative question asks for confirmation.
You liked the film?
Тебе понравился фильм?
The statement-shaped question uses questioning intonation.
Some embedded questions can be reduced to a question word followed by a to-infinitive when the understood subject is clear.
For example, I don't know what to do, where to go, or how to solve it.
I don't know what to do.
Я не знаю, что делать.
"What" is followed by the to-infinitive "to do".
She asked where to go.
Она спросила, куда идти.
"Where" is followed by the to-infinitive "to go".
He explained how to solve it.
Он объяснил, как это решить.
"How" is followed by the to-infinitive "to solve".
I can't decide which one to choose.
Я не могу решить, какой выбрать.
"Which one" is followed by the to-infinitive "to choose".
They discussed when to leave.
Они обсуждали, когда уходить.
"When" is followed by the to-infinitive "to leave".
Question formation differs when have is a lexical verb of possession and when have is a perfect auxiliary.
For example, Do you have a car? versus Have you finished?
Do you have a car?
У тебя есть машина?
When "have" means possession, it takes do-support.
Have you finished?
Ты закончил?
When "have" is a perfect auxiliary, it moves before the subject.
Does she have a brother?
У неё есть брат?
Possessive "have" uses "does" in the third person.
Has he seen the film?
Он видел фильм?
Perfect auxiliary "has" moves before the subject.
Did you have breakfast?
Ты позавтракал?
When "have" means "eat", it takes do-support.
In existential questions, the auxiliary normally occurs before there.
For example, Is there a problem? and Are there any tickets left?
Is there a problem?
Есть проблема?
The auxiliary "is" comes before "there".
Are there any tickets left?
Остались ли билеты?
The auxiliary "are" comes before "there".
Was there a meeting yesterday?
Вчера было собрание?
The past auxiliary "was" comes before "there".
Will there be enough food?
Будет ли достаточно еды?
The modal "will" comes before "there".
Have there been any changes?
Были ли какие-либо изменения?
The perfect auxiliary "have" comes before "there".
Passive questions retain the passive construction while moving the first auxiliary before the subject.
For example, Was the package delivered? and Has the report been completed?
Was the package delivered?
Посылка была доставлена?
The passive question moves "was" before the subject.
Has the report been completed?
Отчёт был закончен?
The auxiliary "has" moves before the subject in the passive.
Were the letters sent?
Письма были отправлены?
The passive question uses "were" before the subject.
Is the house being renovated?
Дом ремонтируется?
The passive question moves "is" before the subject.
Will the results be announced?
Результаты будут объявлены?
The modal "will" moves before the subject in the passive.
Correct question formation requires control of auxiliary selection, inversion, do-support, subject and object roles, question-word choice, embedded word order, negation, tags, and special conversational structures.
Before forming a question, identify what information is being requested and the grammatical role of the questioned element.
Are you ready?
Ты готов?
A yes/no question begins with the auxiliary "are".
Where do you live?
Где ты живёшь?
A wh-question uses "where" with do-support.
Who called you?
Кто тебе позвонил?
A subject question does not use do-support.
Who did you call?
Кому ты позвонил?
An object question uses "did" with the base verb.
Do you know where she lives?
Ты знаешь, где она живёт?
An indirect question uses statement word order in the embedded clause.