Question Forms

Question Forms

INDEX

Negative Questions

Question Tags

Direct and Indirect Questions

Direct and Indirect Questions

1. In a direct question, the normal word order is verb + subject.
2. In an indirect question, the word order is subject verb, and the question begins with a phrase like: "Do you know..."

E.g. When is Mr Patel leaving? Do you know when Mr patel is leaving?

Indirect questions don't use auxiliary do:

Where does Mr Elmore work? Could you tell me where Mr Elmore works? For Wh-/How questions we retain the question word: How much does it cost? Can you tell me how much it cost?

Negative Questions

• Negative questions usually begin with the contracted negative form of an auxiliary or modal verb.

Aren't you based in Milan? Didn't they sell hardware as well as software? Can't you work a bit later tonight?

We use negative question to:

• complain: Can't you lower your voice?
• make a suggestion: Why don't you come to the party with us?
• check information: Isn't this yours?
• make a request: Can't we join you later?

Question Tags

Question tags follow a statement and use the subject and an auxiliary or modal verb in question form.

Statements with auxiliary or modal verbs repeat the auxiliary or modal in the question tag: She won't go to China, will she? You can swim, can't you?

If the statement is positive, the question tag is negative: It's hot, isn't it?

If the subject is someone, somebody, everyone, everybody, anyone, etc. use they in the tag: Anyone can use the meeting room, can't they?

If the statement is negative, the question tag is positive: You haven't seen my keys, have you?

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