English Learning for Beginners: Wh- Questions (What, Where, When)

Dialogue

Current Situation

In English, when you want to ask for specific information, you use “Wh- questions.” These questions don’t usually have a simple “yes” or “no” answer. They help you get details about things, places, or times. Today, we are focusing on three very common ones: What, Where, and When. Mastering these will help you ask for and understand a lot more in everyday conversations!

Key Phrases

• What’s that?

  Meaning: Asking about an unknown object or thing.

  Example: “What’s that sound? Is it raining?”

• What hobby?

  Meaning: Asking for details about a specific hobby.

  Example: “You have a new hobby? What hobby is it?”

• Where do you even do that?

  Meaning: Asking about the location of an activity, sometimes with a hint of surprise.

  Example: “You learned to fly a kite? Where do you even do that in the city?”

• When does it meet?

  Meaning: Asking about the scheduled time for an event or group gathering.

  Example: “The book club sounds fun! When does it meet?”

• What do you win?

  Meaning: Asking about the prize or reward for an activity or competition.

  Example: “If I finish this race, what do I win?”

Grammar Points: Wh- Questions (What, Where, When)

Wh- questions are essential for getting specific information. Let’s look at their use and structure:

1. What (for things, actions, or information)

We use “What” to ask about objects, activities, or general information.

• Basic Structure (with ‘be’ verb): What + is/are + subject?
  • What is your favorite color? (Answer: My favorite color is blue.)
  • What are those? (Answer: Those are my new shoes.)
• Basic Structure (with other verbs, using ‘do/does’): What + do/does + subject + base verb?
  • What do you do? (Answer: I am a student.)
  • What does she like? (Answer: She likes chocolate.)

2. Where (for places or locations)

We use “Where” to ask about the position or location of something or someone.

• Basic Structure (with ‘be’ verb): Where + is/are + subject?
  • Where is the park? (Answer: The park is near my house.)
  • Where are my keys? (Answer: Your keys are on the table.)
• Basic Structure (with other verbs, using ‘do/does’): Where + do/does + subject + base verb?
  • Where do you live? (Answer: I live in Paris.)
  • Where does he work? (Answer: He works at a hospital.)

3. When (for time)

We use “When” to ask about the time, date, or moment of an event.

• Basic Structure (with ‘be’ verb): When + is/are + subject?
  • When is your birthday? (Answer: My birthday is in May.)
  • When is the meeting? (Answer: The meeting is tomorrow morning.)
• Basic Structure (with other verbs, using ‘do/does’): When + do/does + subject + base verb?
  • When do you usually wake up? (Answer: I usually wake up at 7 AM.)
  • When does the store open? (Answer: The store opens at 9 AM.)

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with “What”, “Where”, or “When”.

1. ____ is your favorite food?
2. ____ do you go to school?
3. ____ is Christmas Day?
4. ____ does she usually eat for breakfast?
5. ____ does the bus stop?
6. ____ is your English class?

Exercise 2: Match the question to the correct answer.

1. What is your name?
2. Where are you from?
3. When do you go to bed?

1. I usually go to bed at 10 PM.
2. My name is Maria.
3. I am from Spain.

Match the letters (a, b, c) with the numbers (1, 2, 3) below.

Exercise 3: Look at the answer and write a Wh- question (What, Where, or When).

Example: Answer: She eats toast for breakfast. -> Question: What does she eat for breakfast?

1. Answer: The party is on Saturday.
   Question: _________________________
2. Answer: My dog’s name is Max.
   Question: _________________________
3. Answer: They live in a big house.
   Question: _________________________
4. Answer: I eat toast for breakfast.
   Question: _________________________