Interrogative Sentence

An interrogative sentence implies to the sentences that post questions. It can be utilized to ask a variety of questions, ranging from why somebody did something to what they have been up to recently.

Interrogative sentences contain question marks and pose a query. Sentences in English have been categorized into four groups based on their function. An interrogative statement is one of them, and in this post, we will study about the various sorts of interrogative sentences as well as an example to help us comprehend the concept better. In principle, an interrogative sentence poses a direct question and begins with a capital letter, and concludes with a question mark. The interrogative sentence has a subject-predicate inversion, which implies that the verb appears before the subject.

Interrogative Sentences and Their Applications

This type of statement is frequently used to gather information, seek something, or make suggestions. We can ask someone to do something by using the interrogative statement. We can better grasp it if we use verbs like shall, Can, may, and so on.

1. Should we take the road? (Recommendations)
2. Can I collect your note cards? (Requesting)
3. Can I take the suitcases for you? (Offering)
4. May I create a sheet of the statistics gathered? (Seeking permission)

How to Compose an Interrogative Sentence

The predicate and primary verb are usually placed prior to the subject in interrogative phrases. In the sentence "Who was the final presenter?" for example. The interrogative pronoun or question word is "who," the basic verb is "was," and the subject is "the last presenter."

Auxiliary verbs can also be used in interrogative statements, such as "Did she plan to speak so angrily?" The auxiliary verb (or assisting verb) "did" here turns the statement "she implied to seem so angry" into a question.

Points to Consider When Using Interrogative Sentences

Now that you are aware of the different kinds of interrogative sentences, let us go over a few things to keep in mind when creating interrogative sentences.

1. Begin the interrogative sentence using an auxiliary verb, a modal verb, or a capitalized 'Wh' question word.
2. End the interrogative statement with a question mark. This also serves as the first clue to identifying an interrogative sentence.
3. An interrogative sentence has a slightly reversed structure to a declarative sentence.

Thus, the basic structure of an interrogative expression is Auxiliary Verb/Main Verb/Modal Verb + Subject + Main Verb (if the sentence contains more than one verb) plus the rest of the sentence.

Types of Interrogative Sentences

Four forms of interrogative sentences have already been identified.

1. Interrogatives beginning with Wh-
2. Interrogative alternatives
3. Interrogatives with Yes/No answers
4. Questions about tags

Wh-Interrogatives

This question begins with the query words. The interrogative word, often known as the question word, pertains to the function work that assists in asking a question. In the English language, there are nine question words called as wh-words since, with the exception of "how," all other question words begin with the letter wh-.

Question Words

When, why, and who? The terms which, what, where, whom, whose, and how are referred to be inquiry words since they are frequently employed to enquire about a query. These words could be an object, a subject, an adverb, or a compliment.

Questions That Begin With The Term "Who"

"Who" implies to an individual, and it does not come prior a noun since it is a pronoun. When the object is "who," we can use whom alternatively; however, the "who" query word is extremely prevalent in everyday discourse.

Examples:

1. Who was the arbitrator? (Subject)
2. Who were you conversing with? (object of the preposition)

Questions Begin With "Where."

To obtain information about a location or position, we employ "where" as an adverbial that may be the object of a preposition.

Examples

1. Where should I convey the b'day greeting? (position)
2. Where does this kitty come from (Object of the preposition,)

Questions That Start With "When."

When determining the occasion, time, etc., "when" is utilized.

Examples:

1. When is he going to arrive at the sports complex?
2. When did the special visitor show up?

Questions Beginning With "Why" And "Why Don't"

"Why" and "why don't" questions are used to comprehend the reason or seek a reasoning; nevertheless, ", why don't "is used to make a suggestion.

Examples:

1. Why are you depressed?
2. Why didn't you show up for the game that day?

Questions That Begin With "What."

"What" is a pronoun that can refer to either a subject or an object. We must realize that if the question terms are the subject, there will be no reversal of the subject and verb.

Examples:

1. What has a bad odor? (subject, there is no inversion)
2. What metro train are you able to board? (determinant)
3. What do you comprehend by studying? Inversion, pronoun, object)

Questions Beginning With "Which"

"Which" can also be utilized as a pronoun and determiner.

Examples:

1. Which color do you chose? (determiner)
2. Which of these outdoor activities do you recommend?
3. Which comic character is the most endearing?

Questions Beginning With "Who"

"Whose" pertains to the possessive form of the pronoun, i.e. "who."

Examples:

1. Whose cellphone is that?
2. Whose home is more opulent?

Questions That Commence With The Word "How"

"How" is utilized to ask both direct and indirect direct inquiries in order to gain vital information about the amount of distance required to describe the degree level.

Examples:

1. How many pupils are on this rugby team?
2. How much does Johnny need each month?
3. How was your afternoon?

Alternate Interrogatives

These are the queries that give the listener the option of choosing two or more answers to the inquiry.

Examples:

1. Do you wish to go to Himachal or Malda?
2. Will you prefer soft drinks or health drinks?
3. Will you accompany me now or follow Mary Adams?

Interrogatives with Yes/No Answers

These are the questions that can be addressed with "yes" or "no." These kinds of queries can be made by employing auxiliary verbs,

Examples:

1. Do you regularly go to the lecture room on a daily basis?
2. Did you see your old classmate that day?
3. May I accompany you?

Questions About Tags

These questions are created by appending question tags to the conclusion of declarative phrases. When the sentence is affirmative, the negative tag is added, and vice versa.

Examples:

1. She should move quickly to finish the race, shouldn't she?
2. He couldn't possibly come, can he?
3. He makes an effort, doesn't he?

Indirect Or Imbedded Questions

We can say that certain declarative phrases include embedded questions that should not be interpreted as questions, and question marks must not be used at the conclusion. However, if the indirect question is within the question, the question mark must be placed at the conclusion.

Examples:

Could you tell me the location of the department store? ("Where is the departmental store?" is integrated in the question, thus a question mark is added at the end.

Rules For Interrogative Sentences

1. Interrogative statements are always followed by a question mark.

Interrogative expressions are easy to recognize in writing as they end with the same kind of punctuation: the question mark.

• When does the match begin?

However, be wary of indirect queries. These are not queries, but rather remarks about individuals asking inquiries. They terminate with a period as statements.

• He wants to understand when the match begins.

2. Utilize the auxiliary verb do if there are no auxiliary verbs or the word be.

Interrogative sentences typically contain an auxiliary verb or make use of the verb be. If they do not, you will need to use an auxiliary verb like do.

Because be is among the most commonly used verb in English, it appears as the primary verb or as an auxiliary verb in many queries. This contains all of its forms, including am, is, and are, as well as its past tense, was and were.

• Is this your greeting card ?
• Who was at the gate ?

We are not required to add any additional words because the main verb in the instances above is a form of be.

This also applies to continuous tenses which utilize be as an auxiliary verb.

• Are you searching for somebody ?
• When were you preparing on advising me ?

The main verb in the first instance is search, but since it is in the present continuous tense, the verb be appears as an auxiliary verb. We are not required to add any additional words here. The second instance is similar to the first, but uses the past continuous.

If a question sentence utilizes a verb other than be, and there is no other auxiliary verb, the form of do must be added. This comprises the third-person singular does, the past tense did, and the past participle done.

• Did you check out my blog ?
• Where does the string of rainbows come to an end ?

The primary verb in the first instance is see. However, because there is no be or auxiliary verb in the statement, we must include a form of do (in this instance, the past tense did).

Even if you utilize the term do as the primary verb, some queries require a second do to serve as an auxiliary verb.

Do you do your own hair?

3. The auxiliary verb appears first, accompanied by the subject, then the main verb.

The construction of interrogative sentences is possibly the most perplexing aspect. In ordinary phrases, the subject comes preceding the verb, but in interrogative sentences, the auxiliary verb comes first, followed by the main verb.

[subject] + [auxiliary verb] + [main verb]

4. Utilize question words for the unidentified part of the interrogative sentence.

Interrogative sentences frequently include some unknown information-after all, that is why somebody is asking a question. When we pose a question, we utilize question words like what or why, which are referred to as interrogative words or WH words, to fill in the gaps.

Why Are Interrogative Sentences Important?

Interrogative sentences are essential. They are the means by which we obtain the knowledge we seek. Interrogative sentences are the second most prevalent sentence form after declarative sentences (which express statements). As a result, understanding how they are generated is critical if you are studying or teaching English.

Interrogative sentences are rarely to be the cause of any major writing problems if you are a native English speaker. Nonetheless, there are two compelling reasons to reconsider interrogative phrases.

(Reason 1) Never use a question mark following a non-question. (Watch out for indirect questions!)

Interrogative statements (i.e., questions) do not cause major problems amongst native English speakers who comprehend how to compose the three sorts of questions.

The most common problem with interrogative sentences is when writers mistake a non-question for a question and use a question mark.

• I want to understand if it's finalized.
• I'm curious if I'll ever locate my flashlight.

(These are statements, not queries.) They should be followed by periods (full stops).

This issue is most commonly seen when the statement involves an indirect inquiry. A direct question contained within a statement or another question is referred to as an indirect question. The embedded direct questions, in this case, are "Is it completed?" and "Will I ever find my flashlight?"

Understand more about indirect questions.

(Reason 2) Ask a rhetorical question to bring up a topic.

Rhetorical questions (those that do not generate an answer) can be used to convey a point or for introducing the subject.

When are you going to be happy enough to have children?

(This is a rhetorical question intended to convey a point instead of elicit an answer.) It's a novel way of saying "You're never secured enough to have children."

Is the Loch Ness creature still alive?

(This is a rhetorical question intended to initiate a subject.) Rhetorical questions, which are frequently used as titles, are intended to spark the audience's curiosity.)

Practical Uses of Interrogative Sentences

While the fundamental function of an interrogative sentence is to ask a question, it also has additional uses. The many functions of interrogative sentences are listed below.

1. To ask a straight question ;
2. To obtain clarification ;
3. To verify a piece of information ;
4. To collect information.

Interrogative Sentences Examples

Take a closer look at the examples of interrogative sentences below to get a better sense of how to use them correctly.

Asking A Direct Question

1. What are your Christmas plans ?
2. Where are you going ?
3. When will your dad depart for UK ?

Requesting Clarification

1. When you state 'Technology is a boon and bane', what did you exactly mean ?
2. Are you certain you want to proceed ?
3. So, is it required that we wear white shirts to the event ?

Confirming Something

1. Are you the individual who has been chosen as the president of the School ?
2. Could you kindly say it again ?
3. Is this the curriculum for the internal evaluation ?

Obtaining Information

1. What items will we need to bring with us ?
2. What are the proofs that we need to submit ?
3. Can you please tell me how to bake these biscuits ?

Conclusion

In everyday language, interrogative statements are used to pose a direct question, enquire about details, or request something. There are various forms of questions that can be made by employing 'wh'-words and auxiliary verbs. To signify an interrogative statement, the verb must come prior to the actual subject and be followed by a question mark.