GV

Subject vs Object Questions

Who saw him? (subject) vs Who did he see? (object)

intermediate

When to Use Subject vs Object Questions

  • •Subject question: wh-word IS the subject. Who called? (Someone called.)
  • •Object question: wh-word IS the object. Who did you call? (You called someone.)
  • •Subject questions: NO auxiliary needed. What happened? Who knows?
  • •Object questions: auxiliary needed. What did you do? Who did she meet?
  • •Same pattern with 'what' and 'which'.

How to Form Subject vs Object Questions

Affirmative (+)

Subject Q: Wh-word + verb. Object Q: Wh-word + auxiliary + subject + verb

Negative (-)

Subject Q: Who didn't come? Object Q: Who didn't you invite?

Question (?)

These ARE questions

💡 Subject questions look like statements with wh-word. Object questions have normal question structure.

Examples of Subject vs Object Questions

✓Who broke the window? (subject)

✗Who did break the window?

No auxiliary when 'who' is subject.

✓Who did you see? (object)

✗Who you saw?

Auxiliary needed when 'who' is object.

✓What happened? (subject)

✗What did happen?

No auxiliary when 'what' is subject.

Common Mistakes with Subject vs Object Questions

💡 Practice Tips for Subject vs Object Questions

  • • Ask: Is the wh-word the DOER (subject) or RECEIVER (object)?
  • • Subject (doer): Who called? What happened? → No auxiliary.
  • • Object (receiver): Who did you call? What did you do? → Auxiliary needed.
  • • Test: Can you answer with 'Someone/Something [verb]'? → Subject question.
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.Someone broke the window. Subject question:  ?
  2. 2.You met someone yesterday. Object question:  ?
  3. Question 3: Something happened at the party. Subject question: What blank (happen)?
    3.Something happened at the party. Subject question: What (happen)?
  4. Question 4: She invited some people. Object question: Who blank (she / invite)?
    4.She invited some people. Object question: Who (she / invite)?
  5. Question 5: Someone called you. Subject question: Who blank (call) you?
    5.Someone called you. Subject question: Who (call) you?
  6. Question 6: He said something. Object question: What blank (he / say)?
    6.He said something. Object question: What (he / say)?
  7. Question 7: Something is making that noise. Subject question: What blank (make) that noise?
    7.Something is making that noise. Subject question: What (make) that noise?
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