Interrogative Sentence, Definition and Example Sentences
Table of Contents
Interrogative Sentence
In English, sentences are constructed with the subject + predicate + object formula, but this formula takes the form of verb + subject + object when constructing a question sentence. There are two different types of questions in English. One of them is situation questions with auxiliary verbs and the other one is interrogative sentences formed with English question patterns. A person who makes a question sentence with question patterns in English expects an explanation from the person to whom he/she asks the question. In other words, a sentence formed with question patterns cannot be answered as “Yes” or “No”.
Question Clauses Formed with Verbs/Auxiliary Verbs
Are you sad?
No, I am not sad.
Do you love me?
Yes, I love you.
Have you been to Los Angeles before?
Yes, I was in Los Angeles about four years ago.
Question Sentences Formed with English Question Patterns
What
What is Karen’s favorite band?
My favorite music group is Linkin Park.
What will you do next week?
We’re going on vacation with Lisa next week.
If any noun comes after the word “What” somehow, it adds “Which” meaning to the sentence.
Which movie series is your favorite movie series?
My favorite movie series is “The Matrix” movie series.
Why
Why didn’t you come to me?
I didn’t come to you because I had work to do at that time.
Why didn’t you wear the black dress you just bought?
I didn’t wear the black dress I just bought because it was torn last night.
When
“When?” It is the word we use when we want to ask a question. “What time?” When a question is asked with a pattern, you are asked for a precise time, such as 11:00. “When?” This is the difference with the question pattern.
When will we go home?
When we’re done, we’ll go home.
When do you think you will have finished your work?
I think I’ll have my work done in two hours.
Who
Who will give you a job after you quit?
Uncle Donald will give me a job after I quit.
Who is your favorite football player?
My favorite football player is Cristiano Ronaldo.
Whose
Whose is this red pen?
That red pencil is Mary’s.
Who has a cat?
I have a cat.
Which
Which of these dresses would you prefer for prom?
I prefer the blue one of these dresses.
Which of these is my gift?
It’s your gift in the little red package.
Where
Where were you on summer vacation two years ago?
Two years ago I was in Miami on summer vacation.
Where will tomorrow’s conference be?
I don’t know where tomorrow’s conference will be.
How
How do you cook this dish?
I cook this dish by boiling it.
How can I tell if there is any discomfort in my eyes?
You should go to an eye doctor as soon as possible.
As it can be understood from the examples given, the answers to the questions formed with the English question patterns are different from the answers to the questions formed with the auxiliary verbs, because in general, the person asking the question expects clear answers such as “yes” or “no” in the interrogative sentences formed with the auxiliary verb.
