FluencyLab
GrammarHub
Build questions by putting the correct question word first and then using the right auxiliary or form of be before the subject.
Overview
Build questions by putting the correct question word first and then using the right auxiliary or form of be before the subject.
Form and rules
Common question words include what, where, when, who, why, which, and how.
With present simple action verbs, use do/does + subject + base verb: Where do you live? What does she want?
With past simple action verbs, use did + subject + base verb: Where did they go?
With be, move am/is/are or was/were before the subject: Why are you tired? Where was he?
With can, put can before the subject: What can you do? The main verb stays in the base form.
A closer look
Question words such as what, where, when, why, who, which, and how normally come first. Then use the correct question structure for the verb.
With present simple action verbs, use do/does + subject + base verb. With be, invert the form of be and the subject: Where are you? Why is she late?
Examples
Where do you live?
What does she do?
Why are they late?
When did you arrive?
What can he cook?
Common mistakes
Present simple questions with action verbs need do/does.
Questions with be do not use do.
Ready to practise?
The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.