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Understanding the difference between subject questions and object questions.
Practice: build the sentences →A subject question asks who or what performs the action, while an object question asks who or what receives or is affected by the action.
The grammatical role of the question word determines whether ordinary auxiliary inversion occurs.
Who called you?
Кто тебе звонил?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who did you call?
Кому ты звонил?
"Who" is the object; inversion occurs with "did".
What happened?
Что случилось?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What did she buy?
Что она купила?
"What" is the object; inversion occurs with "did".
Who is responsible?
Кто ответственный?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who is she?
Кто она?
"Who" asks about the complement; inversion occurs with "is".
What caused the problem?
Что вызвало проблему?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What did you cause?
Что ты вызвал?
"What" is the object; inversion occurs with "did".
When the question word is the subject of the clause, normal auxiliary inversion does not occur.
For example, Who called you? and What happened?
Who called you?
Кто тебе звонил?
No auxiliary inversion because "who" is the subject.
What happened?
Что случилось?
No auxiliary inversion because "what" is the subject.
Who wants to go?
Кто хочет пойти?
No auxiliary inversion because "who" is the subject.
Which team won?
Какая команда победила?
No auxiliary inversion because "which team" is the subject.
Who knows the answer?
Кто знает ответ?
No auxiliary inversion because "who" is the subject.
What caused the accident?
Что вызвало аварию?
No auxiliary inversion because "what" is the subject.
Who left the door open?
Кто оставил дверь открытой?
No auxiliary inversion because "who" is the subject.
Which student answered correctly?
Какой студент ответил правильно?
No auxiliary inversion because "which student" is the subject.
When the question word is the object of the clause, normal auxiliary inversion generally occurs.
For example, Who did you call? and What did she buy?
Who did you call?
Кому ты звонил?
Auxiliary inversion occurs because "who" is the object.
What did she buy?
Что она купила?
Auxiliary inversion occurs because "what" is the object.
Which book did you read?
Какую книгу ты прочитал?
Auxiliary inversion occurs because "which book" is the object.
Who did they invite?
Кого они пригласили?
Auxiliary inversion occurs because "who" is the object.
What did he say?
Что он сказал?
Auxiliary inversion occurs because "what" is the object.
Whom did you meet?
Кого ты встретил?
Auxiliary inversion occurs because "whom" is the object.
What did they discuss?
Что они обсуждали?
Auxiliary inversion occurs because "what" is the object.
Which film did she watch?
Какой фильм она смотрела?
Auxiliary inversion occurs because "which film" is the object.
Who can be either the subject or object of a question, and the resulting word order changes accordingly.
Compare Who called John? with Who did John call?
Who called John?
Кто позвонил Джону?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who did John call?
Кому Джон звонил?
"Who" is the object; inversion occurs with "did".
Who saw the film?
Кто смотрел фильм?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who did she see?
Кого она видела?
"Who" is the object; inversion occurs with "did".
Who knows the answer?
Кто знает ответ?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who did you ask?
Кого ты спросил?
"Who" is the object; inversion occurs with "did".
Who wants coffee?
Кто хочет кофе?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who did they choose?
Кого они выбрали?
"Who" is the object; inversion occurs with "did".
What can function as the subject or object of a question, producing different sentence structures.
Compare What caused the problem? with What did you cause?
What caused the problem?
Что вызвало проблему?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What did you cause?
Что ты вызвал?
"What" is the object; inversion occurs with "did".
What happened?
Что случилось?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What did she buy?
Что она купила?
"What" is the object; inversion occurs with "did".
What is the problem?
В чём проблема?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What did he say?
Что он сказал?
"What" is the object; inversion occurs with "did".
What makes you happy?
Что делает тебя счастливым?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What did they discuss?
Что они обсуждали?
"What" is the object; inversion occurs with "did".
When the question word is the subject and be is the verb, the question normally retains subject-verb order.
For example, What is the problem? and Who is responsible?
What is the problem?
В чём проблема?
"What" is the subject; subject-verb order is retained.
Who is responsible?
Кто ответственный?
"Who" is the subject; subject-verb order is retained.
What is in the box?
Что в коробке?
"What" is the subject; subject-verb order is retained.
Who is at the door?
Кто у двери?
"Who" is the subject; subject-verb order is retained.
What is the answer?
Каков ответ?
"What" is the subject; subject-verb order is retained.
Who is your teacher?
Кто твой учитель?
"Who" is the subject; subject-verb order is retained.
What is wrong?
Что не так?
"What" is the subject; subject-verb order is retained.
Who is coming?
Кто идёт?
"Who" is the subject; subject-verb order is retained.
When the question word asks about an object or complement, the normal question structure depends on the role of be.
For example, Who is she? asks for identification of the complement, while Who is she talking to? asks for an object of the preposition.
Who is she?
Кто она?
"Who" asks about the complement; inversion occurs with "is".
Who is she talking to?
С кем она разговаривает?
"Who" is the object of the preposition; inversion occurs with "is".
What is this?
Что это?
"What" asks about the complement; inversion occurs with "is".
What is she doing?
Что она делает?
"What" is the object; inversion occurs with "is".
Who are they?
Кто они?
"Who" asks about the complement; inversion occurs with "are".
What are you looking at?
На что ты смотришь?
"What" is the object of the preposition; inversion occurs with "are".
Who is that?
Кто это?
"Who" asks about the complement; inversion occurs with "is".
Who is he waiting for?
Кого он ждёт?
"Who" is the object of the preposition; inversion occurs with "is".
Subject questions in the present simple normally use the base or third-person singular form of the lexical verb without do-support.
For example, Who works here? and What causes this problem?
Who works here?
Кто здесь работает?
No do-support in a subject question.
What causes this problem?
Что вызывает эту проблему?
No do-support in a subject question.
Who knows the answer?
Кто знает ответ?
No do-support in a subject question.
Which team wins?
Какая команда побеждает?
No do-support in a subject question.
What makes you happy?
Что делает тебя счастливым?
No do-support in a subject question.
Who wants to go?
Кто хочет пойти?
No do-support in a subject question.
What happened?
Что случилось?
No do-support in a subject question.
Who left the door open?
Кто оставил дверь открытой?
No do-support in a subject question.
Object questions in the present simple normally use do or does before the subject.
For example, Who does she work with? and What does he want?
Who does she work with?
С кем она работает?
Do-support is used in an object question.
What does he want?
Что он хочет?
Do-support is used in an object question.
Who does she call?
Кому она звонит?
Do-support is used in an object question.
What does it mean?
Что это значит?
Do-support is used in an object question.
Who does he know?
Кого он знает?
Do-support is used in an object question.
What do you need?
Что тебе нужно?
Do-support is used in an object question.
Who does she invite?
Кого она приглашает?
Do-support is used in an object question.
What does she teach?
Что она преподаёт?
Do-support is used in an object question.
Subject questions in the past simple normally use the past form of the lexical verb without did.
For example, Who called you? and What caused the accident?
Who called you?
Кто тебе звонил?
No did in a subject question.
What caused the accident?
Что вызвало аварию?
No did in a subject question.
Who broke the window?
Кто разбил окно?
No did in a subject question.
What happened yesterday?
Что случилось вчера?
No did in a subject question.
Who left the door open?
Кто оставил дверь открытой?
No did in a subject question.
Which team won?
Какая команда победила?
No did in a subject question.
Who told you that?
Кто тебе это сказал?
No did in a subject question.
What made you angry?
Что тебя рассердило?
No did in a subject question.
Object questions in the past simple normally use did before the subject and the base form of the lexical verb.
For example, Who did you call? and What did she buy?
Who did you call?
Кому ты звонил?
Did is used in an object question.
What did she buy?
Что она купила?
Did is used in an object question.
Who did they invite?
Кого они пригласили?
Did is used in an object question.
What did he say?
Что он сказал?
Did is used in an object question.
Who did she meet?
Кого она встретила?
Did is used in an object question.
What did they discuss?
Что они обсуждали?
Did is used in an object question.
Who did you see?
Кого ты видел?
Did is used in an object question.
What did she want?
Что она хотела?
Did is used in an object question.
When the question word is the subject, a modal remains with the verb phrase without ordinary inversion relative to the subject.
For example, Who can help us? and What might cause this reaction?
Who can help us?
Кто может нам помочь?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What might cause this reaction?
Что может вызвать эту реакцию?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who should apply?
Кому следует подать заявку?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What could go wrong?
Что может пойти не так?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who will come?
Кто придёт?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What must change?
Что должно измениться?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who can answer this?
Кто может ответить на это?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What may happen?
Что может случиться?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
When the question word is the object, the modal normally occurs before the subject.
For example, Who can you help? and What should we do?
Who can you help?
Кому ты можешь помочь?
"Who" is the object; modal comes before the subject.
What should we do?
Что нам делать?
"What" is the object; modal comes before the subject.
Who could she ask?
Кого она могла спросить?
"Who" is the object; modal comes before the subject.
What can I say?
Что я могу сказать?
"What" is the object; modal comes before the subject.
Who will they invite?
Кого они пригласят?
"Who" is the object; modal comes before the subject.
What must we change?
Что мы должны изменить?
"What" is the object; modal comes before the subject.
Who should I contact?
С кем мне связаться?
"Who" is the object; modal comes before the subject.
What could he mean?
Что он мог иметь в виду?
"What" is the object; modal comes before the subject.
When the question word is the subject in a perfect construction, the auxiliary have remains before the past participle after the subject question word.
For example, Who has taken my keys? and What has caused the delay?
Who has taken my keys?
Кто взял мои ключи?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What has caused the delay?
Что вызвало задержку?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who has finished the report?
Кто закончил отчёт?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What has happened?
Что случилось?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who has eaten my lunch?
Кто съел мой обед?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What has changed?
Что изменилось?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who has arrived?
Кто прибыл?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What has been decided?
Что было решено?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
When the question word is the object in a perfect construction, have or has moves before the subject.
For example, Who has she invited? and What have they discovered?
Who has she invited?
Кого она пригласила?
"Who" is the object; "has" moves before the subject.
What have they discovered?
Что они обнаружили?
"What" is the object; "have" moves before the subject.
Who has he called?
Кому он звонил?
"Who" is the object; "has" moves before the subject.
What have you done?
Что ты сделал?
"What" is the object; "have" moves before the subject.
Who has she seen?
Кого она видела?
"Who" is the object; "has" moves before the subject.
What has he written?
Что он написал?
"What" is the object; "has" moves before the subject.
Who have they chosen?
Кого они выбрали?
"Who" is the object; "have" moves before the subject.
What has she said?
Что она сказала?
"What" is the object; "has" moves before the subject.
When the question word is the subject of a progressive clause, be follows the subject question word without ordinary subject-auxiliary inversion.
For example, Who is coming? and What is causing the noise?
Who is coming?
Кто идёт?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What is causing the noise?
Что вызывает шум?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who is waiting outside?
Кто ждёт снаружи?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What is happening?
Что происходит?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who is singing?
Кто поёт?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What is burning?
Что горит?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Who is talking?
Кто говорит?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What is making that sound?
Что издаёт этот звук?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
When the question word is the object, the progressive auxiliary be moves before the subject.
For example, Who are you waiting for? and What is she doing?
Who are you waiting for?
Кого ты ждёшь?
"Who" is the object; "are" moves before the subject.
What is she doing?
Что она делает?
"What" is the object; "is" moves before the subject.
Who is he calling?
Кому он звонит?
"Who" is the object; "is" moves before the subject.
What are they watching?
Что они смотрят?
"What" is the object; "are" moves before the subject.
Who is she seeing?
Кого она встречает?
"Who" is the object; "is" moves before the subject.
What is he reading?
Что он читает?
"What" is the object; "is" moves before the subject.
Who are they helping?
Кому они помогают?
"Who" is the object; "are" moves before the subject.
What is she cooking?
Что она готовит?
"What" is the object; "is" moves before the subject.
Existential structures can contain subject-like question words referring to the person or thing whose existence is being asked about.
For example, Who is there? and What is in the box?
Who is there?
Кто там?
"Who" asks about the person whose existence is being asked about.
What is in the box?
Что в коробке?
"What" asks about the thing whose existence is being asked about.
Who is at the door?
Кто у двери?
"Who" asks about the person whose existence is being asked about.
What is on the table?
Что на столе?
"What" asks about the thing whose existence is being asked about.
Who is in the room?
Кто в комнате?
"Who" asks about the person whose existence is being asked about.
What is under the bed?
Что под кроватью?
"What" asks about the thing whose existence is being asked about.
Who is waiting?
Кто ждёт?
"Who" asks about the person whose existence is being asked about.
What is missing?
Что пропало?
"What" asks about the thing whose existence is being asked about.
When the question asks about an object within an existential construction, the auxiliary normally precedes there.
For example, What is there to eat? asks about available things in an existential structure.
What is there to eat?
Что есть поесть?
The auxiliary precedes "there" in this existential structure.
Who is there to help?
Кто может помочь?
The auxiliary precedes "there" in this existential structure.
What is there to see?
Что можно посмотреть?
The auxiliary precedes "there" in this existential structure.
Who is there to blame?
Кого можно винить?
The auxiliary precedes "there" in this existential structure.
What is there to lose?
Что можно потерять?
The auxiliary precedes "there" in this existential structure.
Who is there to talk to?
С кем можно поговорить?
The auxiliary precedes "there" in this existential structure.
What is there to worry about?
О чём можно беспокоиться?
The auxiliary precedes "there" in this existential structure.
Who is there to support us?
Кто может нас поддержать?
The auxiliary precedes "there" in this existential structure.
Whom is the traditional object form of who and is mainly used in formal English, while who is standard and much more common in ordinary speech.
For example, Whom did you invite? is formal; Who did you invite? is normal in most everyday contexts.
Whom did you invite?
Кого вы пригласили?
"Whom" is the formal object form.
Who did you invite?
Кого ты пригласил?
"Who" is standard and much more common in ordinary speech.
Whom did she meet?
Кого она встретила?
"Whom" is formal.
Who did she meet?
Кого она встретила?
"Who" is more common in everyday contexts.
Whom should I contact?
С кем мне связаться?
"Whom" is formal.
Who should I contact?
С кем мне связаться?
"Who" is more common.
Whom did they choose?
Кого они выбрали?
"Whom" is the formal object form.
Who did they choose?
Кого они выбрали?
"Who" is standard in ordinary English.
When a person is the object of a preposition, ordinary English commonly leaves the preposition at the end of the question.
For example, Who are you talking to? and Who did she send the message to?
Who are you talking to?
С кем ты разговариваешь?
The preposition "to" is at the end of the question.
Who did she send the message to?
Кому она отправила сообщение?
The preposition "to" is at the end of the question.
Who are they waiting for?
Кого они ждут?
The preposition "for" is at the end of the question.
Who did you go with?
С кем ты пошёл?
The preposition "with" is at the end of the question.
Who is she looking at?
На кого она смотрит?
The preposition "at" is at the end of the question.
Who did he speak to?
С кем он говорил?
The preposition "to" is at the end of the question.
Who are you writing to?
Кому ты пишешь?
The preposition "to" is at the end of the question.
Who did they laugh at?
Над кем они смеялись?
The preposition "at" is at the end of the question.
In formal English, the preposition can precede whom or another appropriate question phrase.
For example, To whom are you speaking? and With whom did she travel?
To whom are you speaking?
С кем вы говорите?
The preposition "to" precedes "whom" in formal English.
With whom did she travel?
С кем она путешествовала?
The preposition "with" precedes "whom" in formal English.
For whom are you waiting?
Кого вы ждёте?
The preposition "for" precedes "whom" in formal English.
About whom are they talking?
О ком они говорят?
The preposition "about" precedes "whom" in formal English.
From whom did you receive it?
От кого вы это получили?
The preposition "from" precedes "whom" in formal English.
To whom should I address the letter?
Кому мне адресовать письмо?
The preposition "to" precedes "whom" in formal English.
With whom are you working?
С кем вы работаете?
The preposition "with" precedes "whom" in formal English.
For whom was this built?
Для кого это было построено?
The preposition "for" precedes "whom" in formal English.
The verb in a subject question agrees with the understood number of the subject referred to by the question word.
For example, Who is coming? asks about one person or a group treated as singular, while Who are coming? can be used when the plurality of people is explicitly relevant.
Who is coming?
Кто идёт?
The verb may be singular when the subject is treated as singular.
Who are coming?
Кто идёт?
The plural verb can be used when the plurality of people is explicitly relevant.
What is causing the delays?
Что вызывает задержки?
The verb agrees with the understood singular subject.
Who has finished?
Кто закончил?
The verb may be singular when the subject is treated as singular.
Who have finished?
Кто закончил?
The plural verb can be used when the plurality of people is explicitly relevant.
Which student is coming?
Какой студент идёт?
The verb agrees with the singular subject.
Which students are coming?
Какие студенты идут?
The verb agrees with the plural subject.
Who wants to help?
Кто хочет помочь?
The verb may be singular when the subject is treated as singular.
Which can function as the subject when it selects an item from a known or limited set.
For example, Which caused the problem? and Which of these works best?
Which caused the problem?
Что вызвало проблему?
"Which" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Which of these works best?
Какой из этих работает лучше?
"Which" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Which team won?
Какая команда победила?
"Which" is part of the subject; no inversion occurs.
Which option is cheaper?
Какой вариант дешевле?
"Which" is part of the subject; no inversion occurs.
Which student answered?
Какой студент ответил?
"Which" is part of the subject; no inversion occurs.
Which of the two is better?
Какой из двух лучше?
"Which" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Which book sold the most?
Какая книга продалась лучше всего?
"Which" is part of the subject; no inversion occurs.
Which of them called?
Кто из них звонил?
"Which" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
Which can function as the object when the speaker asks the listener to choose or identify an item from a set.
For example, Which did you choose? and Which one did she buy?
Which did you choose?
Что ты выбрал?
"Which" is the object; inversion occurs.
Which one did she buy?
Какой она купила?
"Which one" is the object; inversion occurs.
Which do you prefer?
Что ты предпочитаешь?
"Which" is the object; inversion occurs.
Which did they select?
Что они выбрали?
"Which" is the object; inversion occurs.
Which book did you read?
Какую книгу ты прочитал?
"Which book" is the object; inversion occurs.
Which film did she watch?
Какой фильм она смотрела?
"Which film" is the object; inversion occurs.
Which option did he take?
Какой вариант он выбрал?
"Which option" is the object; inversion occurs.
Which route did they take?
Какой маршрут они выбрали?
"Which route" is the object; inversion occurs.
The difference between subject and object questions can change what information is requested even when the same question word is used.
Compare What caused the delay? with What did you cause?
What caused the delay?
Что вызвало задержку?
"What" is the subject; asks for the cause.
What did you cause?
Что ты вызвал?
"What" is the object; asks what was caused.
What caused the problem?
Что вызвало проблему?
"What" is the subject; asks for the cause.
What did she cause?
Что она вызвала?
"What" is the object; asks what was caused.
What caused the accident?
Что вызвало аварию?
"What" is the subject; asks for the cause.
What did he cause?
Что он вызвал?
"What" is the object; asks what was caused.
What made you angry?
Что тебя рассердило?
"What" is the subject; asks for the cause.
What did you make?
Что ты сделал?
"What" is the object; asks what was made.
Subject questions generally receive answers containing the requested person or thing directly, without repeating question-word syntax.
For example, Who called? John did, and Who broke the window? Sarah did.
Who called? John did.
Кто звонил? Джон.
The answer contains the requested person directly.
Who broke the window? Sarah did.
Кто разбил окно? Сара.
The answer contains the requested person directly.
Who wants coffee? Mary does.
Кто хочет кофе? Мэри.
The answer contains the requested person directly.
Who knows the answer? Tom does.
Кто знает ответ? Том.
The answer contains the requested person directly.
What caused the noise? The storm did.
Что вызвало шум? Шторм.
The answer contains the requested thing directly.
Who left the door open? The dog did.
Кто оставил дверь открытой? Собака.
The answer contains the requested thing directly.
What happened? Nothing did.
Что случилось? Ничего.
The answer contains the requested thing directly.
Which team won? Ours did.
Какая команда победила? Наша.
The answer contains the requested thing directly.
Do can occur in a subject question for emphasis in marked constructions, even though ordinary subject questions do not require do-support.
For example, Who did call you? can be used when the speaker is emphasizing or challenging the expected answer.
Who did call you?
Кто тебе звонил?
Emphatic "did" can occur in a subject question.
Who did break the window?
Кто разбил окно?
Emphatic "did" can occur in a subject question.
What did cause the delay?
Что вызвало задержку?
Emphatic "did" can occur in a subject question.
Who did tell you that?
Кто тебе это сказал?
Emphatic "did" can occur in a subject question.
What did happen?
Что случилось?
Emphatic "did" can occur in a subject question.
Who did leave the door open?
Кто оставил дверь открытой?
Emphatic "did" can occur in a subject question.
Which team did win?
Какая команда победила?
Emphatic "did" can occur in a subject question.
Who did make that noise?
Кто издал этот шум?
Emphatic "did" can occur in a subject question.
When a verb has more than one object, the question word can target either object depending on the intended information.
For example, Who did she give the book to? asks about the recipient, while What did she give John? asks about the thing given.
Who did she give the book to?
Кому она дала книгу?
Asks about the recipient.
What did she give John?
Что она дала Джону?
Asks about the thing given.
Who did they send the letter to?
Кому они отправили письмо?
Asks about the recipient.
What did they send Mary?
Что они отправили Мэри?
Asks about the thing sent.
Who did he tell the story to?
Кому он рассказал историю?
Asks about the recipient.
What did he tell the children?
Что он рассказал детям?
Asks about the thing told.
Who did you buy the gift for?
Для кого ты купил подарок?
Asks about the beneficiary.
What did you buy for her?
Что ты купил для неё?
Asks about the thing bought.
In passive constructions, the grammatical subject may represent the original object, so identifying subject and semantic roles requires careful analysis.
For example, Who was invited? asks about the grammatical subject corresponding to the affected person.
Who was invited?
Кого пригласили?
Asks about the grammatical subject corresponding to the affected person.
Who was given the award?
Кому дали награду?
Asks about the grammatical subject corresponding to the recipient.
What was stolen?
Что украли?
Asks about the grammatical subject corresponding to the affected thing.
Who was arrested?
Кого арестовали?
Asks about the grammatical subject corresponding to the affected person.
What was damaged?
Что было повреждено?
Asks about the grammatical subject corresponding to the affected thing.
Who was chosen?
Кого выбрали?
Asks about the grammatical subject corresponding to the affected person.
What was discovered?
Что было обнаружено?
Asks about the grammatical subject corresponding to the affected thing.
Who was informed?
Кого проинформировали?
Asks about the grammatical subject corresponding to the affected person.
An embedded clause can contain subject or object questions, and its question structure may differ from that of a direct question.
For example, I know who called and I know who she called illustrate subject and object roles inside embedded clauses.
I know who called.
Я знаю, кто звонил.
Embedded subject question.
I know who she called.
Я знаю, кому она звонила.
Embedded object question.
She asked who was coming.
Она спросила, кто идёт.
Embedded subject question.
She asked who I invited.
Она спросила, кого я пригласил.
Embedded object question.
I wonder what caused the delay.
Интересно, что вызвало задержку.
Embedded subject question.
I wonder what she caused.
Интересно, что она вызвала.
Embedded object question.
Tell me who knows the answer.
Скажи мне, кто знает ответ.
Embedded subject question.
Tell me who you know.
Скажи мне, кого ты знаешь.
Embedded object question.
If replacing the question word with a normal noun produces a sentence in which that noun is the subject, the question is a subject question.
For example, Who called John? corresponds to Sarah called John, so who is the subject.
Who called John? corresponds to Sarah called John.
Кто позвонил Джону? соответствует Сара позвонила Джону.
Replacing "who" with "Sarah" shows that "who" is the subject.
Who broke the window? corresponds to Tom broke the window.
Кто разбил окно? соответствует Том разбил окно.
Replacing "who" with "Tom" shows that "who" is the subject.
What caused the noise? corresponds to The storm caused the noise.
Что вызвало шум? соответствует Шторм вызвал шум.
Replacing "what" with "the storm" shows that "what" is the subject.
Who wants coffee? corresponds to Mary wants coffee.
Кто хочет кофе? соответствует Мэри хочет кофе.
Replacing "who" with "Mary" shows that "who" is the subject.
Which team won? corresponds to Our team won.
Какая команда победила? соответствует Наша команда победила.
Replacing "which team" with "our team" shows that it is the subject.
Who left the door open? corresponds to The dog left the door open.
Кто оставил дверь открытой? соответствует Собака оставила дверь открытой.
Replacing "who" with "the dog" shows that "who" is the subject.
What happened? corresponds to Something happened.
Что случилось? соответствует Что-то случилось.
Replacing "what" with "something" shows that "what" is the subject.
Which student answered? corresponds to John answered.
Какой студент ответил? соответствует Джон ответил.
Replacing "which student" with "John" shows that it is the subject.
If replacing the question word with a normal noun produces a sentence in which that noun is the object, the question is an object question.
For example, Who did John call? corresponds to John called Sarah, so who is the object.
Who did John call? corresponds to John called Sarah.
Кому Джон звонил? соответствует Джон позвонил Саре.
Replacing "who" with "Sarah" shows that "who" is the object.
Who did she meet? corresponds to She met Tom.
Кого она встретила? соответствует Она встретила Тома.
Replacing "who" with "Tom" shows that "who" is the object.
What did you buy? corresponds to You bought a book.
Что ты купил? соответствует Ты купил книгу.
Replacing "what" with "a book" shows that "what" is the object.
Who did they invite? corresponds to They invited Mary.
Кого они пригласили? соответствует Они пригласили Мэри.
Replacing "who" with "Mary" shows that "who" is the object.
What did he say? corresponds to He said something.
Что он сказал? соответствует Он сказал что-то.
Replacing "what" with "something" shows that "what" is the object.
Which book did you read? corresponds to You read this book.
Какую книгу ты прочитал? соответствует Ты прочитал эту книгу.
Replacing "which book" with "this book" shows that it is the object.
Who did she call? corresponds to She called John.
Кому она звонила? соответствует Она позвонила Джону.
Replacing "who" with "John" shows that "who" is the object.
What did they discuss? corresponds to They discussed the problem.
Что они обсуждали? соответствует Они обсудили проблему.
Replacing "what" with "the problem" shows that "what" is the object.
The question word should be analyzed according to its grammatical role rather than its position or meaning alone.
This determines whether do-support and auxiliary inversion are required.
Who called you?
Кто тебе звонил?
Analyze "who" as the subject, not by position.
Who did you call?
Кому ты звонил?
Analyze "who" as the object, so inversion is needed.
What happened?
Что случилось?
Analyze "what" as the subject, so no inversion occurs.
What did she buy?
Что она купила?
Analyze "what" as the object, so inversion is needed.
Who knows the answer?
Кто знает ответ?
Analyze "who" as the subject, so no do-support occurs.
Who does she know?
Кого она знает?
Analyze "who" as the object, so do-support occurs.
Which team won?
Какая команда победила?
Analyze "which team" as the subject, so no inversion occurs.
Which did you choose?
Что ты выбрал?
Analyze "which" as the object, so inversion occurs.
Use normal subject-question order when the question word is the subject and object-question inversion when it is the object.
Common mistakes include adding do to ordinary subject questions, omitting do from object questions, retaining a past form after did, and confusing who and whom.
Who called you?
Кто тебе звонил?
Correct: no do-support in a subject question.
Who did call you?
Кто тебе звонил?
Incorrect: do-support is added to an ordinary subject question.
Who did you call?
Кому ты звонил?
Correct: do-support is used in an object question.
Who you called?
Кому ты звонил?
Incorrect: do-support is missing in an object question.
Who did you see?
Кого ты видел?
Correct: base form "see" after "did".
Who did you saw?
Кого ты видел?
Incorrect: past form "saw" after "did".
Whom did you invite?
Кого вы пригласили?
Correct: "whom" is the formal object form.
Who did you invite?
Кого ты пригласил?
Correct: "who" is standard in ordinary English.