00 / Clauses & Questions
Open questions (Wh-)
Open questions use question words to ask for specific information rather than a simple yes or no answer. They typically begin with words like what, where, when, who, why, and how.
A1Beginner
01 / Overview
Open questions, also known as wh- questions, allow the speaker to find out new information. Unlike closed questions, which only require a yes or no, these questions require a full answer containing a fact, a place, a person, or a reason.
- What asks about things or actions.
- Where asks about places.
- Who asks about people.
- How asks about the way something is done.
02 / Form
Wh- word + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb?
In most cases, the question word comes first, followed by an auxiliary verb (like do, does, or is/are), then the subject and the main verb.
03 / Examples
04 / Common mistakes
Where you live?
Where do you live?
In English, you must include the auxiliary verb 'do' for most verbs in the present simple.
What is the time?
What time is it?
When asking about the time, 'it' is the necessary subject for the sentence.
05 / Open vs. Closed Questions
Closed questions check if something is true, while open questions ask for new details.
| Question Type | Example | Expected Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Closed (Yes/No) | Do you like coffee? | Yes, I do. / No, I don't. |
| Open (Wh-) | What do you like to drink? | I like tea and orange juice. |
06 / Practice
Complete the question: '____ is the bathroom?' (Asking for a location)
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Answer: Where
Why: 'Where' is the correct question word used to ask about locations or places.
Rearrange the words: 'do / what / want / you / ?'
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Answer: What do you want?
Why: The wh-word 'what' starts the sentence, followed by the auxiliary 'do', the subject 'you', and the verb 'want'.
Choose the correct word: '____ is that man?' 'He is my teacher.'
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Answer: Who
Why: 'Who' is used when the answer refers to a person.