Question words are also called WH- words because they include the letters WH (for example, Why, When, hoW, etc.). We use question words to ask certain types of questions.
See this table:
| question word | function | example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| what | asking for information about something | What is your name? |
| asking for repetition or confirmation | What? I can't hear you. You did what? | |
| what...for | asking for a reason, asking why | What did you do that for? |
| when | asking about time | When did he leave? |
| where | asking in or at what place or position | Where do they live? |
| which | asking about choice | Which colour do you want? |
| who | asking what or which person or people (subject) | Who opened the door? |
| whom | asking what or which person or people (object) | Whom did you see? |
| whose | asking about ownership | Whose are these keys? Whose turn is it? |
| why | asking for reason, asking what...for | Why do you say that? |
| why don't | making a suggestion | Why don't I help you? |
| how | asking about manner | How does this work? |
| asking about condition or quality | How was your exam? | |
| how + adj/adv | asking about extent or degree | see examples below |
| how far | distance | How far is Pattaya from Bangkok? |
| how long | length (time or space) | How long will it take? |
| how many | quantity (countable) | How many cars are there? |
| how much | quantity (uncountable) | How much money do you have? |
| how old | age | How old are you? |
| how come (informal) | asking for reason, asking why | How come I can't see her? |
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