Word order in questions
The formula: (question word) + auxiliary + subject + main verb + the rest. The auxiliary depends on the tense: am / is / are, do / does, did, have / has, will, can…
| Tense / verb | Auxiliary | Question |
|---|---|---|
| to be | am / is / are, was / were | Is she a doctor? |
| Present Simple | do / does | Does he work here? |
| Past Simple | did | Did you call her? |
| Present Continuous | am / is / are | Are you listening? |
| Present Perfect | have / has | Have you ever been to Paris? |
| Future Simple | will | Will you help me? |
| Modal verbs | can, should, must… | Can you swim? |
Types of questions in English
Yes / no questions
The answer is yes or no. It starts with the auxiliary.
Do you like coffee? — Yes, I do.
Has she finished? — No, she hasn’t.
Wh- questions
A question word (what, where, when, why, who, how, which, whose, how much / many) + the yes/no question order.
Where do you live?
Why did she leave?
How long have you been here?
Alternative questions
A choice between two options with or.
Do you want tea or coffee?
Tag questions
A statement + a short tag. A positive statement takes a negative tag and vice versa, with the same auxiliary.
It’s cold today, isn’t it?
You don’t eat meat, do you?
She lives in Lviv, doesn’t she?
I’m late, aren’t I?
not “amn’t I”
Subject questions
When who or what is the subject itself, keep statement word order — no do / does / did.
Who broke the window?
not “who did break”
What happened?
Who lives here? — Anna does.
Who did you see? or Who saw you?
| Type | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| subject (who did it?) | Who called you? | Max called me. |
| object (who received it?) | Who did you call? | I called Max. |
Prepositions at the end
In everyday English the preposition usually goes at the end of the question. Indirect questions (“Can you tell me where…”) use statement word order — see reported speech.
Where are you from?
What are you talking about?
Can you tell me where the station is?
not “where is the station”
Common mistakes
What learners of English often say. On the left — the mistake, on the right — the correct version.
Wrong:
You like coffee?Right: Do you like coffee?
Intonation-only questions are very informal; use do.
Wrong:
Where you work?Right: Where do you work?
Question word + auxiliary.
Wrong:
Does she works here?Right: Does she work here?
After does: no -s.
Wrong:
Who did call you?Right: Who called you?
Subject questions: no did.
Wrong:
What means this word?Right: What does this word mean?
What is the object here: use does.
Wrong:
You are coming, isn’t it?Right: You are coming, aren’t you?
The tag repeats the subject and auxiliary.
Check yourself
Quiz: Question forms
12 questions with an explanation after every answer. Free, no sign-up.
Do you…? · Where did…? · isn’t it?