GV

Question Word Order

Forming yes/no and wh- questions with correct inversion

intermediate

When to Use Question Word Order

  • •Yes/No questions use auxiliary/modal + subject + base verb: Do you like it?
  • •Wh- questions: wh-word + auxiliary + subject + verb: What do you want?
  • •Be questions invert be: Are you ready? Where is she?
  • •Questions with tenses keep auxiliary: Have you finished? Will you come?
  • •Avoid double subjects and keep inversion only once.

How to Form Question Word Order

Affirmative (+)

N/A (questions focus)

Negative (-)

Use don't/doesn't/didn't for negatives, or add not after auxiliary: Are you not...?

Question (?)

Aux/Modal + subject + verb (yes/no); Wh + aux + subject + verb (wh-); Be + subject

💡 No inversion when wh-word is subject: Who called? (subject + verb).

Examples of Question Word Order

✓Do you play tennis?

✗You do play tennis?

Invert auxiliary for yes/no questions.

✓Where does she live?

✗Where she lives?

Use does + base; invert subject.

✓Who called you?

✗Who did call you? (when who is subject)

No auxiliary when wh-word is subject.

Common Mistakes with Question Word Order

💡 Practice Tips for Question Word Order

  • • Yes/No: Aux/Modal + subject + base verb.
  • • Wh-: Wh + Aux + Subject + Verb (unless wh is subject).
  • • Be questions: Be + subject + complement.
  • • Keep verbs in base after do/does/did; avoid double auxiliaries.
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.  tennis on weekends?
  2. 2.Where  ?
  3. 3.Which question is correct when 'Who' is the SUBJECT? 
  4. Question 4: Form a question: 'You want some coffee.' → blank ___ ___ some coffee?
    4.Form a question: 'You want some coffee.' → ___ ___ some coffee?
  5. Question 5: Form a question: 'She works in London.' → Where blank ___ ___?
    5.Form a question: 'She works in London.' → Where ___ ___?
  6. Question 6: Correct the verb form: 'Why did he blank early?' (leave)
    6.Correct the verb form: 'Why did he early?' (leave)
  7. Question 7: Form a question with 'be': 'They are at home.' → blank ___ at home?
    7.Form a question with 'be': 'They are at home.' → ___ at home?
  8. Question 8: Form a question: 'She has finished her work.' → blank ___ ___ her work?
    8.Form a question: 'She has finished her work.' → ___ ___ her work?
  9. Question 9: Form a question with a modal: 'You will come.' → blank ___ ___?
    9.Form a question with a modal: 'You will come.' → ___ ___?
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