Forming Questions In English.docx

FORMING QUESTIONS IN ENGLISH CAN BE CONFUSING. Don’t worry – I’m going to teach you a simple formula that works for asking questions in almost ALL the verb tenses! This formula is called QUASM: QU estion word A uxiliary verb S ubject M ain verb Look how QUASM works for forming questions in the following verb tenses:

SIMPLE PRESENT QUESTIONS: QUESTION WORD

AUXILIARY VERB

SUBJECT

MAIN VERB

Where

do

you

work?

What

does

Martha

think

about project?

your new apartment?

How

do

you

like

How many kids

does

Bob

have?

SUBJECT

MAIN VERB

the

SIMPLE PAST QUESTIONS: QUESTION WORD

How

AUXILIARY VERB

did

they

learn

English fast?

so

When

did

you

get home

from work yesterday?

What

did

the manager

think

about idea?

your

Where

did

you

buy

that T-shirt?

PRESENT CONTINUOUS QUESTIONS: QUESTION WORD

AUXILIARY VERB

SUBJECT

MAIN VERB

What

are

you

doing

at moment?

Why

is

he

ignoring

me?

for dinner? now?

What time

are

we

meeting up

Who

is

she

dating

the

PAST CONTINUOUS QUESTIONS: QUESTION WORD

Who

What

Why

How

AUXILIARY VERB

were

was

were

was

SUBJECT

you

Jim

the children

he

MAIN VERB the

talking

to on phone?

you

doing

when called?

eating

candy before dinner?

feeling

after surgery?

the

PRESENT PERFECT QUESTIONS: QUESTION WORD How much money

How long

What

How long

AUXILIARY VERB

have

has

have

has

MAIN VERB

SUBJECT

spent

on clothes this month?

your teacher

worked

at school?

they

been doing

all day?

the client

been waiting

for order?

you

this

their

FUTURE QUESTIONS: QUESTION WORD

AUXILIARY VERB

SUBJECT

MAIN VERB

Who

will

you

invite

to the party?

will

your parents

think

about your plan?

What

When

are

you

going

to clean room?

your

Why

is

she

going

to quit her job?

MODAL QUESTIONS: QUESTION WORD

What

AUXILIARY VERB

would

SUBJECT

you

MAIN VERB

do

if you had a million dollars?

How

could

Where

should

we

I

improve

our English?

go

on my vacation?

EXCEPTIONS: Yes/No questions do not use a question word… …but they still follow ASM (Auxiliary verb – Subject – Main verb)  Do you like bananas?  Did you enjoy the movie?  Are you studying English?  Were you sleeping when I called you last night?  Have you finished your homework?  Will you call me when you get home?  Are you going to accept the job offer?  Should we take the early morning flight?

Questions where the main verb is “be” also don’t follow the pattern:    

Are you thirsty? Is she a teacher? Were your parents angry when you failed the test? Was her ex-boyfriend a basketball player?

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