WH Questions Guide
WH Questions are used to gather specific information. The key words that form these questions
are:
Basic Structure:
For the present, the structure is: WH + verb + subject + complement.
For the past, the structure is: WH + did + subject + base verb + complement.
For the future, the structure is: WH + will + subject + base verb + complement.
1. What: To ask for a thing, action, or idea.
o Example: What is your name? (Present)
o Example: What did you do yesterday? (Past)
o Example: What will you do tomorrow? (Future)
2. Where: To ask for a place.
o Example: Where do you live? (Present)
o Example: Where did you go last weekend? (Past)
o Example: Where will you go on vacation? (Future)
3. When: To ask about the time or moment of something.
o Example: When is your birthday? (Present)
o Example: When did you arrive? (Past)
o Example: When will the meeting start? (Future)
4. Why: To ask for the reason or cause of something.
o Example: Why are you late? (Present)
o Example: Why did you leave early? (Past)
o Example: Why will you be absent tomorrow? (Future)
5. How: To ask about the manner or way something happens.
o Example: How are you? (Present)
o Example: How did you solve the problem? (Past)
o Example: How will you handle the situation? (Future)
6. Who: To ask about a person or people.
o Example: Who is that? (Present)
o Example: Who called you last night? (Past)
o Example: Who will attend the party? (Future)
Asking WH Questions in Different Tenses:
Present Tense:
For the present, the structure is:
WH + verb + subject + complement.
Examples:
• What is your name?
• Where do you live?
• Why are you late?
Past Tense:
In the past, use did before the verb. The main verb stays in its base form.
For the past, the structure is:
WH + did + subject + base verb + complement.
Examples:
• What did you eat for lunch yesterday?
• Where did you go last weekend?
• Why did you leave early?
Future Tense:
In the future, use will before the verb to indicate an action that will happen.
For the future, the structure is:
WH + will + subject + base verb + complement.
Examples:
• What will you do tomorrow?
• Where will you go on vacation?
• Why will you be absent tomorrow?
Table of WH Questions with Examples:
Question Translation Explanation
What is your name? ¿Cuál es tu nombre? Asks for a thing or idea.
Where do you live? ¿Dónde vives? Asks for a place.
¿Cuándo es tu Asks about the time or moment of
When is your birthday?
cumpleaños? something.
Asks for the reason or cause of
Why are you late? ¿Por qué llegaste tarde?
something.
Asks about the manner or state of
How are you? ¿Cómo estás?
someone.
Who is that? ¿Quién es esa persona? Asks about a person.
Asks for the manner or way of doing
How do you make this? ¿Cómo haces esto?
something.
Asks about the place someone is going
Where are you going? ¿A dónde vas?
to.
Asks for the reason of a state or
Why is he sad? ¿Por qué está él triste?
emotion.
What time does the ¿A qué hora empieza la
Asks about the time of an event.
meeting start? reunión?
Asks about a person involved in an
Who did you talk to? ¿Con quién hablaste?
action.
When will you arrive? ¿Cuándo llegarás? Asks about the time of arrival.
How much does this cost? ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? Asks about the price of something.
Where did you find that? ¿Dónde encontraste eso? Asks about the location of something.
¿Por qué ella se fue
Why did she leave early? Asks about the reason behind an action.
temprano?
Common question to ask personal
What’s your favorite color? ¿Cuál es tu color favorito?
preferences.
Common question about someone's
Where are you from? ¿De dónde eres?
origin.
Question Translation Explanation
What do you do for a Common question about someone's
¿A qué te dedicas?
living? profession.
Common question to ask someone's
How old are you? ¿Cuántos años tienes?
age.
Common question about current
What are you doing? ¿Qué estás haciendo?
activities.
Common question asking about
Why are you happy? ¿Por qué estás feliz?
emotions or states.
Common question asking about
Who is your best friend? ¿Quién es tu mejor amigo?
relationships.
When do you usually wake
¿Cuándo sueles despertar? Common question about daily routines.
up?
Common question asking about
How do you feel today? ¿Cómo te sientes hoy?
someone's mood.
