Interrogative Sentences in English: Meaning, Uses, Preparation Tips, Practice Questions with Answers

Interrogative sentences in English are used to gather specific details or obtain answers to questions, by a person. They also serve as a way to seek explanation, ensure understanding or confirm if something is true or not.

Interrogative sentences generally start with question words like "what," "where," "when," "why," "how” and end with a question mark. For example:

• Is she going to the market?
• What did you have for dinner?
• Why are you late?

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An interrogative sentence, according to Oxford dictionaries, is a sentence used to ask a question. It's characterized by its question form, often ending with a question mark. Interrogative sentences, or questions, can be further classified into those that require a simple yes or no answer and those that seek more detailed information using interrogative words like "who", "what", "where", "when", "why", and "how".

It is pronounced as: /ˌɪntəˈrɒɡətɪv/

Going by Collins Dictionary, an interrogative sentence is a form or construction used in asking a question. It essentially means a sentence that poses a query or request for information.

According to Cambridge Dictionary, an interrogative sentence is a sentence used to ask a question or make a request for information. It's the grammatical structure of a sentence designed to elicit a response from the listener or reader.

The word "interrogative" is pronounced /ˌɪn.təˈrɑɡ.ə.t̬ɪv/ in American English and /ɪn.tərɒgətɪv/ in British English, according to Collins Dictionary and Cambridge Dictionary.

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Interrogative sentences can be classified into four main categories based on the type of questions asked. They are:

1. Wh- interrogatives: These use question words like who, what, where, when, why, how, which, whose, whom to ask for specific information. They are followed by a verb in the correct tense. For example:

• Where are you going for your next holiday?
• Who was the teacher in the class today?

 

2. Alternative interrogatives: These questions offer two or more options and often use words like either/or, or, whether. For example:

• You want tea or coffee?
• Do you like mountains or beaches?

 

3. Yes/ No interrogatives: These questions are designed in a way where the answer is a simple "yes" or "no". They typically start with an auxiliary verb (like is, are, do, does) or a modal (interlink) For example:

• Is it sunny outside?
• Did you finish your school lunch today?

 

4. Tag Questions: These are the questions converted from a statement. These types of questions are formed by attaching the small question tags to the end of the declarative sentences. For example:

• You are coming with me, aren’t you?
• Today’s lunch was delicious, isn’t it?

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Interrogative sentences in English begin with an auxiliary verb, a modal verb, or a "wh-" question word, followed by the subject and the main verb. The sentence ends with a question mark. This structure can be altered in few different ways, which are:

modal + subject + verb

Examples:

• Can I drive?
• Can you dance?
• Can I eat?

object + modal + subject + verb

Examples:

• Who might he be?
• What are you doing?
• Where is she going?

verb + subject + object

Examples:

• Did you eat the sandwich?
• Do you want to go out?
• Did you finish your work?

subject + verb + object (this is a common non-interrogative sentence structure, and it is rare for interrogative sentences.)

Examples:

• Did John hit the ball?
• Did Mira eat the pasta?
• Did the dog bite you?

Some rules that students should follow that ensure correct formation of interrogative sentences in English are:

1. Interrogative sentences always end with a question mark (?).

2. In most cases, the verb comes before the subject, forming a question. For example: Are you coming?

3. Questions are formed in different uses with extensive use of auxiliary verbs like "do," "did," "will". For example:

• Did you finish your food?
• Do you know where she lives?
• Will you coming to the party tonight?

4. Questions often start with interrogative pronouns like "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," or "how". For example:

• Where are you going?
• When are they leaving?
• Why are you not coming to school?
• Who are you calling?

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Special cases in Interrogative sentences mostly occur in context with their structure and use. Following are some such cases with examples, for better understanding:

Structure	Exception
‘I am’ sentences: I am going in the right direction.	Am I going in the right direction?
Suggestion: Let’s go the beach.	Shall we go to the beach?
Invitation: Come with us to the mall.	Will you come with us to the mall?
There is/are sentences: There is a power shortage today.	Isn’t there a power shortage today?

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Students are advised to follow these tips and tricks to master the subject of interrogative sentences in English grammar:

• Begin the sentence with an auxiliary verb, a modal verb, or a 'Wh' question word
• Conclude the sentence with a question mark, which helps identify it as an interrogative sentence
• Read lots of books and journals to understand the usage of Interrogative sentences in English speech
• Ask yourself different questions to understand the category and type of interrogative sentence
• Make use of online services available to understand and practice the topic better

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The easiest way to identify Interrogative Sentences in English are by its their structure and punctuation.

Interrogative sentences always end with a question mark ‘?’, asking a question. In most cases, they begin with question words like "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," "how”. For example:

• Who are you playing with?
• Where is the match happening today?
• How is the masterclass?

They may also start with auxiliary form of the verb "to be" (is, are, am) or "to do" (do, does, did). For example:

• Is it raining today?
• Are you coming with us?
• Did he take his books along with him?
• Do you want to eat ice cream?

Interrogative sentences always have inverted structure, meaning, the subject (the person or thing performing the action) often comes after the auxiliary verb. For example: Are you coming? instead of You are coming.

Also Read: Auxiliary and Modal Verbs in English