How to Write Questions in English: English Grammar Guide

Writing questions correctly in English is an essential skill for communication, conversation, and academic writing. Whether you are asking something in daily conversation, writing an interview question, or forming a research question, understanding English question structure helps you sound clear and natural.

This guide explains how to form questions using different sentence types, auxiliary verbs, and word order rules — with many examples and tips for beginners and advanced learners alike.

Understanding English Questions

A question is a sentence that asks for information, confirmation, or an answer. In English, questions usually begin with a helping verb (auxiliary verb) or a question word (like what, where, why, or how).

Main Types of Questions

1. Yes/No Questions – Ask for a confirmation or denial.

   • Do you like coffee?

   • Is she from Japan?

2. Wh- Questions – Ask for specific information.

   • What are you doing?

   • Where do you live?

3. Choice Questions – Offer alternatives.

   • Do you prefer tea or coffee?

4. Tag Questions – Add a short question at the end to confirm something.

   • You’re coming, aren’t you?

5. Indirect Questions – Politer or more formal ways to ask.

   • Could you tell me where the bank is?

Word Order in Questions

In English, the word order changes when forming questions. Normally, a statement follows the Subject–Verb–Object order, but in questions, it often changes to Auxiliary–Subject–Verb.

Example

• Statement: You are a teacher.

• Question: Are you a teacher?

Formula for Yes/No Questions

Auxiliary (or modal) + Subject + Main Verb + Object/Complement

Examples:

• Do you play tennis?

• Does she work here?

• Can he drive?

If there is no auxiliary verb, English adds one — usually do/does/did.

Using Question Words (Wh- Questions)

Wh- questions ask for specific information rather than a yes or no answer.

Common Question Words

Structure

Wh- word + Auxiliary + Subject + Verb (+ Object)

Examples:

• What do you want to eat?

• Where are they going?

• Why did she leave early?

If the question word is the subject, you don’t invert the order:

• Who called you? (NOT Who did call you?)

• What happened?

Questions with “Be” Verbs

The verb to be (am, is, are, was, were) forms questions without using do/does/did.

Examples

• Are you hungry?

• Is he your friend?

• Were they late?

Wh- Questions with “Be”

• Where are you from?

• Why is it so hot?

Questions with Modal Verbs

When using modals like can, should, would, could, will, may, or must, place the modal before the subject.

Examples

• Can you swim?

• Should we start now?

• Will it rain today?

• Would you like some coffee?

For Wh- questions:

• What can I do for you?

• When will they arrive?

Questions in Different Tenses

Present Simple

Use do/does for questions.

• Do you work here?

• Does she know the answer?

Past Simple

Use did for all subjects.

• Did you go to the party?

Present Continuous

Use am/is/are + -ing.

• Are you studying now?

• What are they doing?

Present Perfect

Use have/has + past participle.

• Have you eaten?

• Has she finished her work?

Future

Use will + base verb or going to.

• Will you come tomorrow?

• Are you going to travel this weekend?

Tag Questions

A tag question turns a statement into a mini-question to confirm something.
It usually consists of a positive clause + negative tag or negative clause + positive tag.

Examples:

• You’re a student, aren’t you?

• He doesn’t eat meat, does he?

• They went to Cebu, didn’t they?

Indirect (Polite) Questions

To sound polite or formal, you can use indirect questions. They usually start with phrases like:

• Could you tell me…

• Do you know…

• Would you mind telling me…

Examples

• Could you tell me where the restroom is? (NOT where is the restroom)

• Do you know if she’s coming today?

Note: In indirect questions, the word order becomes subject + verb, not inverted.

Question Punctuation and Tone

In writing, all questions end with a question mark (?).

In speech, intonation helps show it’s a question:

• Rising intonation for yes/no questions.

• Falling intonation for Wh- questions.

Examples:

• Are you ready? (↑ rising tone)

• Where are you going? (↓ falling tone)

Common Mistakes in Forming Questions

1. ❌ You like pizza? → ✅ Do you like pizza?

2. ❌ What she is doing? → ✅ What is she doing?

3. ❌ Can goes he there? → ✅ Can he go there?

4. ❌ Where he works? → ✅ Where does he work?

Remember: Always invert the auxiliary and subject (except when the Wh-word is the subject).

Practice Tips

1. Listen carefully to native speakers in interviews or movies.

2. Write your own questions for daily routines:

   • What time do you wake up?

   • Where do you usually eat lunch?

3. Use flashcards to remember Wh- words and auxiliary verbs.

4. Try conversation drills — answer your own questions aloud.

Summary Table

Conclusion

Learning to write and ask questions correctly in English is vital for clear communication. Focus on word order, use of auxiliary verbs, and the purpose of each question type.

Whether you’re talking to a friend, emailing your teacher, or preparing for an interview, asking questions the right way helps you connect naturally and

What is the basic word order for English questions?

The default English statement order is Subject–Verb–Object (SVO). Most questions invert the subject with an auxiliary (helping) verb, giving Auxiliary + Subject + Main verb (+ objects/complements). For example, “You like jazz.” becomes “Do you like jazz?” If a tense does not already have an auxiliary, English inserts a form of do (do/does/did) to build the question.

When should I use “do/does/did” in questions?

Use a do-auxiliary for questions in the simple present and simple past when there is no other auxiliary present. Examples:

• Present simple: “Do you work on weekends?” / “Does she ride a bike?”
• Past simple: “Did they enjoy the movie?”

Do not add do when the sentence already has an auxiliary (be, have, or a modal) or when asking with the verb to be as the main verb.

How do I form yes/no questions?

Start with an auxiliary or modal, then the subject, then the base form of the main verb (unless the main verb is be):

Are you ready? Have they left? Can we start? Do you agree? 

Keep the tense and agreement in the auxiliary, not in the main verb (“Does she like,” not “Does she likes”).

How do I ask Wh- questions (what/where/when/why/how/who/which/whose)?

Place the Wh-word first, then the auxiliary, then the subject and main verb:

What do you recommend? Where are they going? When did he call? How has it changed? 

If the Wh-word is the subject (e.g., who as the person doing the action), there is no inversion: “Who called you?” not “Who did call you?”

What is the difference between “who called?” and “who did you call?”

“Who called?” asks for the subject (the person performing the action). No auxiliary is used. “Who did you call?” asks for the object (the person receiving the action), so you need the auxiliary did and an explicit subject (you), followed by the base verb call.

How do I make questions with the verb “to be”?

Move the correct form of be to the front and do not use do support:

Am I late? Is she a nurse? Are they hungry? Was it difficult? 

For Wh- questions with be: “Where are you from?” “Why is it noisy?”

How do I form questions with modal verbs (can, should, would, will, may, might, must)?

Modal + subject + base verb. The modal carries tense/mood and the main verb remains in base form:

Can you help? Should we leave now? Would you like tea? Will they join us? 

Wh- version: “When can we meet?” “What should I bring?”

How do questions change across tenses?

• Present simple: Do/Does + subject + base verb (“Does he study?”)
• Past simple: Did + subject + base verb (“Did they finish?”)
• Present continuous: Am/Is/Are + subject + -ing (“Are you studying?”)
• Present perfect: Have/Has + subject + past participle (“Have you eaten?”)
• Past perfect: Had + subject + past participle (“Had she left?”)
• Future (will): Will + subject + base verb (“Will you come?”)
• Be going to: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base (“Are you going to travel?”)

What are tag questions and how do I use them?

A tag question is a short question added to a statement to confirm information. Use a positive clause + negative tag or negative clause + positive tag. The tag repeats the auxiliary (or uses do if none):

You're coming, aren't you? She doesn't drive, does she? It was expensive, wasn't it? They have finished, haven't they? 

Pronouns in the tag must match the subject, and the tense must mirror the main clause.

How do I ask polite or indirect questions?

Use an introductory clause (Could you tell me…? Do you know…? Would you mind…?), then a statement word order in the embedded clause (no inversion):

Could you tell me where the station is? Do you know if the store is open? Would you mind explaining how this works? 

Avoid “Could you tell me where is the station?”—that double inversion is incorrect in indirect questions.

Should I use rising or falling intonation when speaking?

In speech, yes/no questions typically have rising intonation toward the end, while Wh- questions generally have falling intonation. For example, “Are you ready↗?” versus “Where are you going↘?” Intonation can vary by context (e.g., surprise or echo questions), but this pattern covers most neutral cases.

What punctuation rules apply to written questions?

End genuine questions with a question mark (?). Avoid combining with a period. In quoted questions inside a sentence, the question mark usually stays within the quotation marks if it is part of the quoted material: She asked, “Are you ready?” Avoid multiple punctuation marks (e.g., “??!!”) in formal writing.

What are common mistakes to avoid when forming questions?

• Missing auxiliary: “You like pizza?” → “Do you like pizza?”
• Wrong inversion: “What she is doing?” → “What is she doing?”
• Conjugating the main verb after an auxiliary: “Does he likes coffee?” → “Does he like coffee?”
• Using do-support with be: “Does she is ready?” → “Is she ready?”
• Double inversion in indirect questions: “Can you tell me where is it?” → “…where it is?”

How do I form choice questions (offering options)?

Use a normal yes/no structure and present alternatives with or:

Do you want tea or coffee? Would you prefer to call or email? Is the meeting on Monday or Tuesday? 

Be sure the grammar before the list is complete, and keep parallel structure in the options.

How do short answers work in English?

Use the auxiliary from the question and a pronoun, not just “yes” or “no.” Examples: “Do you play chess?” “Yes, I do.” / “No, I don’t.” “Has she finished?” “Yes, she has.” Using the full sentence is possible but less natural; short answers are concise and idiomatic.

What’s the difference between “what” and “which” in questions?

Use what for open sets (no limited options) and which for closed or visible sets (known, limited options): “What color do you like?” vs. “Which color do you prefer, blue or green?” In practice, what is more common; choose which when you want to stress a defined set.

How do I ask questions for interviews or surveys professionally?

Use clear, concise wording; ask one thing at a time; avoid leading language; and define time frames. Prefer neutral phrasing: “How satisfied are you with the service?” rather than “How impressed are you with our excellent service?” For sensitive topics, consider indirect or multiple-choice formats to increase comfort and accuracy.

How can I make my questions sound more polite?

Use modals (could, would, may), softeners (please, possibly), and longer structures: “Could you possibly share the report?” Add reasons when helpful: “Could you send the file today so we can finalize the draft?” Politeness increases with indirect questions and conditionals.

How do negative questions work, and when should I use them?

Negative questions (“Don’t you agree?” “Isn’t it late?”) often express surprise, seek confirmation, or show expectations. They can sound pushing or rhetorical, so use them carefully in formal contexts. For neutral confirmation, a tag question may be friendlier: “It’s late, isn’t it?”

What practice strategies will help me improve question formation?

• Transform statements: Turn five daily statements into yes/no and Wh- questions.
• Drill tenses: For one verb (e.g., arrive), build questions across tenses.
• Record yourself: Check inversion and intonation against model audio.
• Flashcards: Pair Wh- words with sample structures (e.g., Why + aux + subject + verb).
• Conversation prompts: Prepare three follow-up questions for any answer you hear.

Can you show a quick mini-checklist before I ask a question?

• Do I have/need an auxiliary (be, have, modal, or do)?
• Did I invert auxiliary and subject (unless Wh-subject)?
• Is the main verb in base form after an auxiliary?
• Is the Wh-word correct for the information I want?
• Is the tone/politeness appropriate for the context?

Sample conversions from statements to questions

Statement: You know the answer. Yes/No: Do you know the answer? Wh-: What do you know? Wh- (subject): Who knows the answer? Modal: Could you tell me the answer? Tag: You know the answer, don't you? Indirect: Could you tell me whether you know the answer? 

Practicing multiple versions builds flexibility and confidence across real-life situations.

English Grammar Guide: Complete Rules, Examples, and Tips for All Levels