An interrogative sentence asks a question; it helps us to seek clarifications, clear confusions and ask an explanation etc. Think about your everyday conversation with family and friends and the questions you put to them; or even the questions they ask you-
1) Where have you been?
2) Why are you not going to office today?
3) What is this?
4) Who has left the stove burning?
5) Whose bag is this?
6) When will the class get over?
7) Which dress are you wearing for the party?
8) How will you go there alone?
9) To whom does this belong?
10) Which is the best shop in town?
The above statements ask a question; expecting a satisfactory answer in reply. The statements start with a question word- Where, Why, What, Who, Whose, When, Which, How and Whom; followed by verb and the subject and ending with a question mark (?).
Now we will pick those statements from the above examples in which the question word itself serves as the subject-
In the above sentences, the question words – Who, Whose, Whom, Which; themselves serve as the subject.
Before we go through the use of Helping Verbs in forming Interrogative Sentences we will quickly go through few Auxiliary and Modal verbs, those are commonly used as Helping Verbs-
Auxiliary Verbs- is, were, be, are, been, was, has, had, have, does, did, do;
Modal Verbs- can, could, may, would, shall, should.
Now, go through the below example sentences and their explanation-
In the above sentence ‘is’ is the helping verb, which comes before the subject and the verb.
Going through some of the above examples we came across the statements which start with the ‘Helping Verb’ and are interrogative-
The above sentences are interrogative i.e. they pose a clear question; though, they don’t have any question word. An interrogative sentence therefore not necessarily should have a question word, and can also be started with helping verbs.
Now we will form some interrogative sentences using Modal Verbs. Modal Verbs can be used to make requests, asking for a favor and expecting usually a simple answer- either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Please go through the below sentences using Modal verbs-
Therefore, interrogative sentences can very well be formed using the modal verbs; though they usually make a request or demand a Yes/No in reply, rather than an explanation.
Alternative Interrogative sentences give the listener an opportunity to choose from the options provided. Read the below sentence-
The above statement pose a question to the listener, asking where does he live; also providing him two options to choose from- 1) In his own house? or 2) in a rented accommodation?. The listener is free to choose from the given options, whichever is true.
Now consider some more examples of Alternative Interrogative Sentences-
Alternative Interrogative Sentences usually start with a Helping Verb (Auxiliary Verb or Modal Verb).
Tag Questions or Tagged Interrogative Sentences
A tag question is a question which when placed at the end of a sentence; makes it interrogative. For Example-
‘you are the monitor of the class’ is a statement which is finally turned into a question by adding Tag Question- ‘Aren’t you?’
Some more examples of Tag Questions-
In some of the above sentences the Tag question is formed by adding ‘not’ to the corresponding ‘helping verb’ in the statement-
Helping Verb ‘were’; Tag Question ‘were not’ or ‘weren’t’
Helping Verb ‘is’; Tag Question ‘is not’ or ‘isn’t’
Helping Verb ‘are’; Tag Question ‘are not’ or ‘aren’t
Though, some Tag Questions might be related to the helping Verbs, but it is not always true and you are advised to use your discretion and knowledge while forming ‘Tag Questions’.
Indirect Questions/Indirect Interrogative Questions
A Direct Interrogative Sentence tends to ask a direct question-
The above sentences are undoubtedly interrogative, and ask direct questions to the listener. But, there may be indirect Interrogative sentences which do not present direct questions; rather, they present an indirect question which is technically non interrogative. Please go through few indirect questions given below-
Indirect Questions do not need to end with a question mark (?), as they do not formally represent a question; though they demand a response, still they are declarations rather than Questions.
Fill in the Blanks/MCQs Exercises/Worksheet/Activities on Interrogative Sentences with Answers:
Complete the following Interrogative Sentences by filling in the blank space with an appropriate option provided. Check your answers with those provided at the end of the exercise.
1) _________ were you waiting for?
2) _________ is your name?
3) When _________ you pay the dues?
4) Are you __________ today?
5) _________ your teacher come today?
6) Can you _________ the National Anthem?
7) Will they be __________ to the party tomorrow?
8) _________ you call me?
9) ________ the school open today?
10) ________ you like to have some coffee?
11) Would you like to have some tea _______ coffee?
12) _________ he just irritated or angry?
13) Why are you _______ paying attention?
14) _________ the kids happy?
15) _________ has left the door open?
Answers- 1)b, 2)c,3)a, 4)b, 5)c, 6)a, 7)b, 8)a, 9)c, 10)c, 11)a, 12)c, 13)b, 14)c, 15)c
1) Interrogative Sentences in Present Simple Tense Form
Before we form Interrogative Sentences in Present Simple Tense form; we will go through few Positive sentences in Simple Present Tense form-
Now go through the Interrogative Sentences framed from the above sentences-
Although the above sentences represent direct questions; but, a question word can also be added, as shown below-
The Structure/Formula for the Interrogative Sentences in Present Simple Tense form can thus be given as-
—- Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + Object
—– Do/Does + Subject + Base form of the verb + Object
‘Do’ is used for subjects- we, I, you, they or a plural noun and
‘Does’ is used for subjects- he, she, it or a singular noun.
Note- While converting Positive Sentences into Interrogative ‘-s’ or ‘-es’ is removed from the verb.
For Example-
‘He likes coffee’, becomes ‘Does he like coffee?’
The –s is removed from the verb ‘likes’.
2) Interrogative Sentences in Present Continuous Form
Below given are some Positive Sentences in Present Continuous form-
It is interesting to note that the above sentences can be converted into interrogatives by simply interchanging the positions of auxiliary verbs and subjects, as shown below-
Also, if needed suitable question words can be added to the above interrogatives-
Structural Formula for Interrogative Sentences in Present Continuous form-
—– Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb
—– (is/am/are) + Subject + Present Participle (Main Verb + ing)
3) Interrogative Sentences in Present Perfect Form
Go through the below given Positive Sentences in Present Continuous form-
The above sentences can be easily converted into interrogative sentences by simply interchanging the auxiliary verb and the subject as shown below-
Structural Formula for Interrogative Sentences in Present Perfect form is-
— Auxiliary Verb + subject + Main Verb + Object
— Have/Has + subject + Past Participle + Object
If the subject is he, she, it or a singular noun then auxiliary Verb ‘has’ is used and if the subject is we, they, you, I or a plural noun- ‘have’ is used an auxiliary verb.
Also, question words may also be added to the Interrogative sentences-
4) Interrogative Sentences in Present Perfect Continuous Form
First go through the following Positive Sentences in Present Perfect Continuous form-
The above sentences can be converted into interrogative, interchanging auxiliary verb with the subject as shown below-
The structural formula for the above sentences is-
— Has/Have + Subject + ‘been’ + Present Participle (verb + ing) + Time reference
‘Has’ is used for the subjects- he, she, it or a singular noun;
‘Have’ is used for the subjects- we, they, I, you or a plural noun.
Also, appropriate question words can be added if required-
5) Interrogative Sentences in Simple Past Form
Go through the following Affirmative Sentences in Simple Past form-
Please note that in the above sentences, past form of the verb is used- wrote, caught, went etc; but for converting to Interrogative Sentences we will change the verb into its simple form and start the statement with the auxiliary verb- ‘did’-
— Did + Subject + First form of the verb + Object
If needed question words can also be added-
6) Interrogative Sentences in Past Continuous Form
Go through the following Affirmative Sentences in Past Continuous form-
The structural formula for converting the above sentences into Interrogative is-
— Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Present Participle (Main verb + ing) + Object
If needed question words can also be added-
7) Interrogative Sentences in Past Perfect Form
Go through the below Affirmative Sentences in Past Perfect form-
The Structure/Formula for converting the above Affirmative Sentences into Interrogative Past Perfect form is-
— Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + Object
— Had + Subject + Past Participle + Object
Wherever needed suitable question words can also be added to the Interrogatives –
8) Interrogative Sentences in Past Perfect Continuous Form
First go through the following Affirmative Sentences in Past Perfect Continuous form-
The Structure/Formula for converting the above sentences into Interrogative is-
— Auxiliary Verb + Subject + ‘been’ + Present Participle (Base form + ing) + Object
We get the following Interrogative sentences by applying the above formula-
9) Interrogative Sentences in Future Simple From
Consider the following Affirmative Sentences in Future Simple Tense form-
While forming Interrogative sentences from the above examples; the sentence is started with the auxiliary verb ‘will’, but the verb form- base form, remains the same.
Structure Formula for Interrogative Sentences in Future Simple form is-
— Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + Object
— Will + Subject + Base form of the verb + Object
Question words as usual may be added as given below-
10) Interrogative Sentences in Future Continuous Form
First go through some of the sentences in Future Continuous form-
Again the above sentences can easily be converted into interrogatives by simply interchanging the auxiliary verb and subject as shown below-
Structure/Formula for Interrogative Sentences in Future Continuous form is-
— Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main verb + Object
— Will + Subject + Present Participle (Base form + ing) + Object
As needed, suitable question words can also be added-
11) Interrogative Sentences in Future Perfect Form
First, go through the following Affirmative Sentences in Future Perfect form-
The Interrogative sentences can be formed by inter-replacing the auxiliary verb- ‘will’ and the subject; as shown below-
Structure/Formula for Interrogative Sentences in Future Perfect form is-
— Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + Object
— Will + Subject + Past Participle + Object
12) Interrogative Sentences in Future Perfect Continuous Form
First go through some Affirmative sentences in Future Perfect Continuous form-
Again the above sentences can easily be converted into Interrogative by simply interchanging the places of auxiliary verb and the subject; as shown below-
Structure/Formula for Interrogative Sentences in Future Continuous form is-
— Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + Object
— Will + Subject + Present Participle (First form of verb + ing) + Object
Conversion to Interrogative Sentences Exercises/Worksheet/Activities with Answers
Convert the following Affirmative Present Simple sentences into Interrogative Sentences in Present/Past/Future forms by filling in the sentences with appropriate choice provided. Check your answer with those provided at the end of the exercise-
1) He plays basketball. (Affirmative)
________ he play basketball? (Interrogative)
2) She likes chocolates. (Affirmative)
Does she ___________ chocolates? (Interrogative)
3) They go to the college regularly. (Affirmative)
________ they go to the college regularly? (Interrogative)
4) The sun sets in the west?
__________ the sun set in the West?
5) ________ I ask you your name?
6) I am going to school today. (Affirmative)
______ going to school today? (Interrogative)
7) He is studying for the exams. (Affirmative)
Is he __________ for the exams? (Interrogative)
8) They are going to the movie. (Affirmative)
________ to the movie? (Interrogative)
9) He is playing cricket. (Affirmative)
________ playing cricket? (Interrogative)
10) She is waiting for you. (Affirmative)
______ waiting for you? (Interrogative)
11) You have prepared the dinner. (Affirmative)
_________ prepared the dinner? (Interrogative)
12) They have played in the tournament. (Affirmative)
Have they __________ in the tournament?
13) She has performed very well. (Affirmaive)
_________ performed very well? (Interrogative)
14) He has studied well for exams.
_________ studied well for the exams?
15) The kids have completed the homework.
________ the kids completed the homework?
16) You have been studying since morning. (Affirmative)
________ you been studying since morning? (Interrogative)
17) He has been working in the factory for five years. (Affirmative)
___________ working in the factory for five years? (Interrogative)
18) The kids have been playing since morning. (Affirmative)
__________ been playing since morning? (Interrogative)
19) I ate a pie. (Affirmative)
Did I ________ a pie? (Interrogative)
20) I walked to my office. (Affirmative)
________ I walk to my office? (Interrogative)
21) He was calling your name. (Affirmative)
________ calling your name? (Interrogative)
22) They were going fast. (Affirmative)
________ going fast? (Interrogative)
23) She had been cooking for three hours. (Affirmative)
____________ been cooking for past three hours?
24) He had been studying since morning. (Affirmative)
________ studying since morning?
25) The kids will be playing in the park. (Affirmative)
___________ be playing in the park? (Interrogative)
26) You are a good boy. (Affirmative)
You are a good boy, ________? (Interrogative)
27) He is going to office. (Affirmative)
He is going to office, ________? (Interrogative)
28) They were looking for you. (Affirmative)
They were looking for you, ________? (Interrogative)
29) She wrote the letter to the principal. (Affirmative)
She wrote the letter to the principal, _________? (Interrogative)
30) He would have got the medal. (Affirmative)
He would have got the medal, __________? (Interrogative)
Answers- 1)a, 2)c, 3)b, 4)a, 5)c, 6)a, 7)c, 8)b, 9)a, 10)c, 11)b, 12)c, 13)a, 14)b, 15)c, 16)c, 17)a,18)a, 19)c, 20)b, 21)a, 22)a, 23)b, 24)a, 25)b, 26)a, 27)c, 28)b, 29)b, 30)b
Related Links:
Sentence
Negative Sentence
Declarative Sentence
Imperative Sentence
Exclamatory Sentence