Blog about English
Using echo questions to express surprise or request clarification.
Practice: build the sentences →Echo questions repeat all or part of a previous statement or question in order to check, clarify, or react to information.
For example, You bought what? can express surprise or ask the listener to repeat unexpected information.
You bought what?
Ты купил что?
"What" is repeated at the end to check surprising information.
She is moving to Canada?
Она переезжает в Канаду?
The whole statement is repeated as an echo question for confirmation.
You met who at the party?
Ты встретил кого на вечеринке?
"Who" echoes the surprising person mentioned earlier.
They are arriving when?
Они прибывают когда?
"When" asks the speaker to repeat an unclear time.
You paid how much for that?
Ты заплатил сколько за это?
"How much" reacts to surprising information about price.
An echo question can ask the speaker to repeat information that was not heard clearly.
For example, You said the meeting is when? asks the speaker to repeat the time.
You said the meeting is when?
Ты сказал, что встреча когда?
"When" asks for repetition of the time.
Sorry, you said what?
Извините, вы сказали что?
"What" requests repetition of unclear information.
The address is where?
Адрес где?
"Where" asks the speaker to repeat the location.
You are leaving on which day?
Ты уезжаешь в какой день?
"Which day" clarifies the day that was not heard clearly.
He wants how many tickets?
Он хочет сколько билетов?
"How many" asks for repetition of a quantity.
Echo questions can repeat unexpected information to express surprise or disbelief.
For example, You paid a thousand dollars for it?
You paid a thousand dollars for it?
Ты заплатил тысячу долларов за это?
The statement-shaped echo question expresses surprise at the price.
She won the first prize?
Она выиграла первый приз?
The echo question repeats unexpected news.
They are getting married next week?
Они женятся на следующей неделе?
The repeated statement expresses surprise at the timing.
You met the president?
Ты встретил президента?
The echo question shows disbelief about the person met.
He quit his job yesterday?
Он уволился вчера?
The echo question reacts to unexpected information.
What can be repeated at the end or inside an echo question to request clarification or express surprise.
For example, You bought what? and What did you say you bought?
You bought what?
Ты купил что?
"What" at the end asks for clarification.
What did you say you bought?
Что ты сказал, что купил?
"What" appears in a fuller clarification question with normal inversion.
She is reading what?
Она читает что?
"What" repeats the surprising object.
You are cooking what for dinner?
Ты готовишь что на ужин?
"What" focuses on the unexpected food.
He said he needs what?
Он сказал, что ему нужно что?
"What" asks the speaker to repeat the needed item.
Who can be used in an echo question to identify or confirm the person being referred to.
For example, You met who? can express surprise or request clarification.
You met who?
Ты встретил кого?
"Who" asks for clarification about the person.
She called who last night?
Она позвонила кому вчера вечером?
"Who" repeats the surprising person.
You are working with who?
Ты работаешь с кем?
"Who" focuses on the person in the prepositional phrase.
He invited who to the party?
Он пригласил кого на вечеринку?
"Who" echoes the unexpected guest.
They elected who as president?
Они выбрали кого президентом?
"Who" reacts to surprising information about a person.
Where can be repeated in an echo question to clarify a location or destination.
For example, You said they moved where?
You said they moved where?
Ты сказал, что они переехали куда?
"Where" asks for repetition of the location.
She is going where for vacation?
Она едет куда в отпуск?
"Where" focuses on the unexpected destination.
You left your keys where?
Ты оставил ключи где?
"Where" clarifies the place.
They are meeting where?
Они встречаются где?
"Where" asks for the location to be repeated.
He found the wallet where?
Он нашёл кошелёк где?
"Where" echoes the surprising place.
When can be used in echo questions to check an unexpected or unclear time reference.
For example, The meeting is when?
The meeting is when?
Встреча когда?
"When" asks for repetition of the time.
You are leaving when?
Ты уезжаешь когда?
"When" clarifies an unclear time.
She said the party starts when?
Она сказала, что вечеринка начинается когда?
"When" focuses on the start time.
They arrived when?
Они прибыли когда?
"When" reacts to surprising timing.
The train departs when?
Поезд отправляется когда?
"When" asks for the departure time to be repeated.
Why can be repeated to request an explanation or express surprise about a reason.
For example, You left early because of what?
You left early because of what?
Ты ушёл рано из-за чего?
"What" after "because of" asks for the reason to be repeated.
You did it why?
Ты сделал это почему?
"Why" at the end requests an explanation.
She is upset why?
Она расстроена почему?
"Why" echoes the reason for surprise.
They canceled the trip why?
Они отменили поездку почему?
"Why" asks for clarification about the reason.
He apologized why?
Он извинился почему?
"Why" reacts to an unexpected reason.
How can be used in an echo question to clarify manner, degree, quantity, or method.
For example, You solved it how? and The trip will take how long?
You solved it how?
Ты решил это как?
"How" asks for clarification about the method.
The trip will take how long?
Поездка займёт как долго?
"How long" asks about duration.
She fixed the car how?
Она починила машину как?
"How" focuses on the surprising method.
You managed to finish how quickly?
Ты сумел закончить как быстро?
"How quickly" asks about an unexpected speed.
They traveled how far?
Они проехали как далеко?
"How far" clarifies distance.
Echo questions can repeat negative information to check that the speaker heard it correctly or to express surprise.
For example, They are not coming? and You did not tell him?
They are not coming?
Они не приходят?
The negative statement is repeated as an echo question for confirmation.
You did not tell him?
Ты не сказал ему?
The echo question checks surprising negative information.
She cannot drive?
Она не умеет водить?
"Cannot" is repeated to confirm the negative ability.
He does not like coffee?
Он не любит кофе?
The negative statement is echoed for surprise.
We are not invited?
Мы не приглашены?
The echo question asks for confirmation of the negative fact.
Echo questions can repeat statements containing modal verbs without necessarily using ordinary interrogative inversion.
For example, You can drive already? and They are allowed to leave?
You can drive already?
Ты уже умеешь водить?
"Can" is repeated without ordinary inversion in the echo question.
They are allowed to leave?
Им разрешено уходить?
The modal passive is repeated for confirmation.
She must finish it today?
Она должна закончить это сегодня?
"Must" is echoed to check the obligation.
He might come later?
Он, возможно, придёт позже?
"Might" is repeated to confirm possibility.
You should apologize?
Тебе следует извиниться?
"Should" is echoed to check advice or expectation.
A statement-shaped clause can function as an echo question through rising intonation or a questioning tone.
For example, You bought a new car? can ask for confirmation or express surprise.
You bought a new car?
Ты купил новую машину?
The statement-shaped clause functions as an echo question through intonation.
She passed the exam?
Она сдала экзамен?
The declarative form asks for confirmation.
They moved to Berlin?
Они переехали в Берлин?
The statement is repeated with a questioning tone.
He found a new job?
Он нашёл новую работу?
The declarative echo question expresses surprise.
You finished the project?
Ты закончил проект?
The statement-shaped question checks the information.
Echo questions often retain statement word order when repeating information, especially in conversation.
For example, You saw who? does not use the ordinary object-question form Who did you see?
You saw who?
Ты видел кого?
The echo question keeps statement word order.
She bought what?
Она купила что?
"What" stays at the end without inversion.
They went where?
Они пошли куда?
"Where" remains in final position.
He said when?
Он сказал когда?
"When" is echoed without ordinary question order.
You met who at the station?
Ты встретил кого на станции?
The clause "You met who" keeps declarative order.
An echo question can also use ordinary question structure when the speaker is asking for clarification in a more standard form.
For example, Who did you say you saw? is a clarification question with normal inversion in the main question clause.
Who did you say you saw?
Кого ты сказал, что видел?
The main question clause uses normal inversion with "did".
What did she say she bought?
Что она сказала, что купила?
The clarification question uses ordinary question structure.
Where did they say they moved?
Куда они сказали, что переехали?
The main clause has normal inversion.
When did he say the meeting starts?
Когда он сказал, что встреча начинается?
The question uses standard interrogative inversion.
Why did you say you left early?
Почему ты сказал, что ушёл рано?
The echo clarification uses normal inversion in the main clause.
A question word can appear at the end of an echo question, especially in conversational English.
For example, You are going where? and She bought what?
You are going where?
Ты идёшь куда?
"Where" appears at the end of the echo question.
She bought what?
Она купила что?
"What" is placed in final position.
They arrived when?
Они прибыли когда?
"When" is repeated at the end.
You met who?
Ты встретил кого?
"Who" is final in the conversational echo question.
He left why?
Он ушёл почему?
"Why" appears at the end for clarification.
Instead of repeating a single question word, a speaker may repeat a longer phrase containing the unclear or surprising information.
For example, You said you met the new manager where? can focus on the missing location.
You said you met the new manager where?
Ты сказал, что встретил нового менеджера где?
The longer phrase "you met the new manager" is repeated before "where".
She told you she bought what?
Она сказала тебе, что купила что?
The full reported clause is echoed before "what".
They mentioned they are moving when?
Они упомянули, что переезжают когда?
The phrase "they are moving" is repeated before "when".
He explained he was late because of what?
Он объяснил, что опоздал из-за чего?
The longer clause is echoed before "what".
You said the tickets cost how much?
Ты сказал, что билеты стоят сколько?
The full phrase "the tickets cost" is repeated before "how much".
Echo questions can identify exactly which part of a statement was unclear or unexpected.
For example, She is moving to Canada? isolates the information the listener wants to verify.
She is moving to Canada?
Она переезжает в Канаду?
The echo question isolates the information to verify.
You need it tomorrow?
Тебе нужно это завтра?
The echo question focuses on the deadline.
They are staying at the Hilton?
Они остановились в Хилтоне?
The echo question clarifies the hotel.
He wants the blue one?
Он хочет синий?
The echo question checks which item is meant.
The class starts at nine?
Занятие начинается в девять?
The echo question clarifies the time.
Echo questions can seek confirmation that the previous speaker was understood correctly.
For example, You need it tomorrow? can confirm the deadline.
You need it tomorrow?
Тебе нужно это завтра?
The echo question seeks confirmation of the deadline.
She is coming with us?
Она идёт с нами?
The echo question confirms the plan.
They paid for the tickets?
Они заплатили за билеты?
The echo question checks whether the action happened.
He is the new manager?
Он новый менеджер?
The echo question confirms the person role.
We are meeting at noon?
Мы встречаемся в полдень?
The echo question confirms the time.
An echo question can convey disbelief or astonishment when the repeated information conflicts with expectations.
For example, You spent all night doing that?
You spent all night doing that?
Ты потратил всю ночь на это?
The echo question conveys disbelief about the time spent.
She sold her car for that price?
Она продала машину за такую цену?
The echo question expresses astonishment at the price.
They canceled the whole event?
Они отменили всё мероприятие?
The echo question shows disbelief about the cancellation.
He ate the entire cake?
Он съел весь торт?
The echo question reacts with astonishment.
You walked ten miles in the rain?
Ты прошёл десять миль под дождём?
The echo question conveys disbelief about the distance and weather.
Echo questions can be used neutrally or politely to request repetition, while tone determines whether they sound curious, surprised, or skeptical.
For example, Sorry, you said the address is where? is a clarification request.
Sorry, you said the address is where?
Извините, вы сказали, что адрес где?
The echo question is a polite clarification request.
Excuse me, you need what?
Простите, вам нужно что?
"Excuse me" introduces a polite request for repetition.
Sorry, the meeting is when?
Извините, встреча когда?
The polite echo question asks for the time again.
Pardon, you met who?
Простите, вы встретили кого?
"Pardon" introduces a neutral clarification question.
Sorry, you said they moved where?
Извините, вы сказали, что они переехали куда?
The echo question politely checks the location.
Expressions such as sorry, excuse me, and pardon can introduce an echo question when the listener did not hear something clearly.
For example, Sorry, you said what? is a conversational request for repetition.
Sorry, you said what?
Извините, вы сказали что?
"Sorry" introduces an echo question for repetition.
Excuse me, you are going where?
Простите, вы идёте куда?
"Excuse me" introduces the clarification request.
Pardon, she bought what?
Простите, она купила что?
"Pardon" introduces the echo question.
Sorry, the train leaves when?
Извините, поезд уходит когда?
"Sorry" precedes the question about time.
Excuse me, you met who?
Простите, вы встретили кого?
"Excuse me" introduces the request for repetition.
Echo questions can repeat surprising quantities or degrees using how + adjective.
For example, The repair cost how much? and How expensive was it?
The repair cost how much?
Ремонт стоил сколько?
"How much" asks about the surprising cost.
How expensive was it?
Насколько дорого это было?
"How expensive" asks about degree.
The movie was how long?
Фильм был какой длинный?
"How long" asks about duration.
She is how old?
Ей сколько лет?
"How old" asks about age.
The box is how heavy?
Коробка какая тяжёлая?
"How heavy" asks about weight.
A preposition can remain in its original position in an echo question when the unclear information is its complement.
For example, You were talking to who? is conversational, while Who were you talking to? is a normal information question.
You were talking to who?
Ты разговаривал с кем?
"Who" is the complement of "to" and remains after the preposition.
She is waiting for who?
Она ждёт кого?
"Who" follows "for" in the echo question.
They went with who?
Они пошли с кем?
"Who" is the complement of "with".
You gave the book to who?
Ты дал книгу кому?
"Who" follows "to" in the echo question.
He is working for who?
Он работает на кого?
"Who" remains after "for".
Ordinary information questions request new information, while echo questions typically react to information that has already been mentioned.
For example, Where did you go? requests information, while You went where? reacts to a previous statement.
Where did you go?
Куда ты пошёл?
This ordinary information question requests new information.
You went where?
Ты пошёл куда?
This echo question reacts to information already mentioned.
What did she buy?
Что она купила?
The ordinary question asks for new information about the object.
She bought what?
Она купила что?
The echo question repeats surprising information.
When does the meeting start?
Когда начинается встреча?
The ordinary question requests the time as new information.
Echo questions can repeat a statement for confirmation or surprise, while ordinary yes/no questions directly ask whether a proposition is true.
For example, You bought it? can echo a previous statement, while Did you buy it? is a standard yes/no question.
Did you buy it?
Ты купил это?
This is a standard yes/no question.
You bought it?
Ты купил это?
This echo question repeats a previous statement for confirmation or surprise.
Are they coming?
Они приходят?
This ordinary yes/no question asks whether the proposition is true.
They are coming?
Они приходят?
This echo question reacts to the statement already made.
Has she finished?
Она закончила?
This standard yes/no question uses inversion.
Echo questions are common in dialogue because speakers frequently react immediately to surprising or unclear information.
They are particularly useful for representing spontaneous conversation in narratives and dialogue.
You are leaving tomorrow?
Ты уезжаешь завтра?
The echo question is common in dialogue for immediate reaction.
She said what?
Она сказала что?
The echo question represents spontaneous conversation.
They moved where?
Они переехали куда?
The echo question reacts to surprising news in dialogue.
He bought a house?
Он купил дом?
The echo question checks information in a conversation.
You met the manager?
Ты встретил менеджера?
The echo question is natural in reported dialogue.
Intonation is essential to interpreting an echo question as surprise, disbelief, clarification, or simple confirmation.
For example, You bought what? with strong rising or marked intonation can express surprise, while a milder rise may simply request repetition.
You bought what?
Ты купил что?
A strong rising tone on "what" can express surprise.
You bought what?
Ты купил что?
A milder rise on "what" may simply request repetition.
She is moving to Canada?
Она переезжает в Канаду?
Rising intonation turns the statement into an echo question.
They are not coming?
Они не приходят?
The intonation determines whether the echo question shows surprise or seeks confirmation.
You paid a thousand dollars?
Ты заплатил тысячу долларов?
Marked intonation conveys disbelief.
An echo question may repeat part of the original auxiliary structure while changing only the information being questioned.
For example, She has finished the project how quickly? asks about the unexpected degree or speed.
She has finished the project how quickly?
Она закончила проект как быстро?
The auxiliary "has" is repeated while "how quickly" questions the speed.
You have been working here how long?
Ты работаешь здесь как долго?
The auxiliary structure "have been" is repeated before "how long".
They were traveling for how many days?
Они путешествовали сколько дней?
The auxiliary "were" is retained in the echo question.
He will arrive when exactly?
Он приедет когда именно?
The modal auxiliary "will" is repeated before "when exactly".
You can finish it by when?
Ты можешь закончить это к когда?
The modal "can" is retained while "by when" asks for the deadline.
Final-position question words and declarative-shaped echo questions are especially common in informal spoken English.
More formal contexts generally prefer fully formed information questions or explicit clarification requests.
You are going where?
Ты идёшь куда?
Final-position "where" is common in informal spoken English.
She bought what?
Она купила что?
The final-position "what" is typical of casual conversation.
Where are you going?
Куда ты идёшь?
A fully formed information question is preferred in formal contexts.
Could you repeat what you said?
Не могли бы вы повторить, что вы сказали?
An explicit clarification request is more formal.
You said the meeting is when?
Вы сказали, что встреча когда?
The declarative-shaped echo question is less formal than a full question.
Use echo questions primarily to clarify, confirm, or react to information that has already been mentioned, and distinguish them from ordinary information questions.
Common mistakes include treating every echo question as a standard wh-question, forcing normal inversion into conversational echo structures, and ignoring the role of intonation in determining the intended meaning.
You bought what?
Ты купил что?
Use the echo question to react to information already mentioned.
What did you buy?
Что ты купил?
This ordinary information question requests new information.
You met who?
Ты встретил кого?
Do not force normal inversion into this conversational echo structure.
Who did you meet?
Кого ты встретил?
This standard question uses normal inversion.
You are leaving tomorrow?
Ты уезжаешь завтра?
Intonation helps distinguish confirmation from surprise.