SUBJECT AND OBJECT QUESTION
A. SUBJECT QUESTION
Subject questions focus on the person or thing performing the action (the subject) or we
want to ask about the subject. Subject questions don’t use auxiliary verbs like “do, “does, or
“did”. These questions ask about the “Who or What” that is performing the action.
In the beginning of this lesson I gave the example:
Who called you?
Structure : Who / What + Verb (1/2) + Object?
question word – who
verb – called
object – you
Answer: Paulo called me.
Paulo is the answer, and that is the subject of the sentence.
It is very important to remember that subject questions only use the question
words Who and What.
*Notice: Because we don’t have an auxiliary, the verb needs to change and be conjugated to
match the time tense.
Here are some additional examples of a subject question:
Who is the one doing this live lesson? [Who is doing this live lesson?]
o Answer: I am the one doing this live lesson.
What happened last night?
o Answer: It rained. A storm passed through.
What helps you learn English?
o Answer: These videos help me learn.
Who helps you learn English?
o Answer: Jennifer helps me learn English.
B. OBJECT QUESTION
Object questions focus on the person or thing receiving the action (the object. Remember the
questions from the beginning of the lesson?
“Who did you call?” is an object question.
STRUCTURE:
[Question word + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb]
question word – who
auxiliary verb – did
subject – you
main verb – call
Answer: I called Paulo
Paulo is the answer, and that is the object of that sentence.
Object questions can use the following question words:
Who
What
Where
Why
How
When
*Notice: The main verb is always in its base form.
Here are some additional examples of an object question:
Where did you go?
o Answer: I went to the store.
When did she leave?
o Answer: She left last night.
How are you feeling?
o Answer: I am feeling really good.
EXTRA INFORMATION ABOUT SUBJECT & OBJECT QUESTIONS
Notice that in both subject and object questions we can have different time tenses.
For example:
Simple present:
Who wants a drink? Answer: I want a drink
Present perfect:
Who has visited California? Answer: Many people have visited California
Simple past:
Who killed Voldemort? Answer: Somebody killed Voldemort.
Future:
Who will share this lesson later? Answer: Everyone will share this lesson later!
…etc…
We can also use modals as the auxiliary.
Who can help me? Answer: Paulo can help me.
Task 1 : Choose the correct forms to complete the questions about the underlined words!
1. I dreamt about our old house in Cornwall. ⇒ What _____?
A.dreamt you
B.dreamt you about
2I always listen to Jack's advice. ⇒ What _____?
C.did you dream about
A.you do always listen to
B.do you always listen to
3Jason kissed Virginia at the playground. ⇒ _____ at the playground?
C.do you always listen
A.Who kissed Virginia
B.Who did kiss Virginia
4Jason kissed Virginia at the playground. ⇒ _____ at the playground?
C.Who did Virginia kiss
A.Who Jason kissed
B.Who did Jason kiss
5Lewis asked his boss for a promotion. ⇒ What _____?
C.Who kissed Jason
A.Lewis did ask his boss for
B.Lewis asked his boss for
6Lewis asked his boss for a promotion. ⇒ _____ for a promotion?
C.did Lewis ask his boss for
A.Who asked his boss
B.Who did he ask his boss
7Lewis asked his boss for a promotion. ⇒ _____ for a promotion?
C.Who did ask his boss
A.Who did Lewis ask
B.Who asked Lewis
8I'm happy about the results. ⇒ What _____?
C.Who did ask Lewis
A.are you happy
B.are you happy about
9Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. ⇒ What _____?
C.you're happy about
A.did Alexander Graham Bell invent
B.invented Alexander Graham Bell
10Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin. ⇒ Who _____?
C.did invent Alexander Graham Bell
A.did Alexander Fleming discover
B.did discover penicillin
C.discovered penicillin
Task 2 : Create a Subject and an Object Question for each!
Example :
Jennifer called Paolo
Answer:
Subject question : Who called Paolo?
Object Question : Who did Jennifer call?
1. Jessica broke my favorite vase
2. We will read the book
3. James dropped the glass
4. The students likes their new professor
5. I’m buying some bread
