QUESTIONSGRAMMAR 1-2

Inversion: Auxiliary Before SubjectNormally, the auxiliary verb (or modal verb) goes BEFORE the subject in questions. This word order is called INVERSION. 

INVERSION

They have seen the movie. Have they seen the movie?

She is staying with her sister until tomorrow. Is she staying with her sister until tomorrow?

We can use his car. Can we use his car?

You are doing homework. Are you doing homework?

She has already gone home. Has she already gone home?

It will rain tomorrow. Will it rain tomorrow?

Subject Questions: No Inversion

Steve went to the party. Who went to the party?

13 people are sitting in the room. How many people are sitting in the room?

Chlorophyl makes trees green. What makes trees green?

The construction is making so much noise. What is making so much noise?

My car is sitting outside. Whose car is sitting outside?

Best Buy sells that computer. Which store sells that computer?

When who, what, which, whose, how many, etc. are the subject of the sentence,

we do not use inversion:

•Who asked? • (Asking for the

subject)•Who did you ask?

• (Inversion: asking for the object)

•Who is singing?• (Asking for

thesubject)•What is she singing?

• (Inversion: asking for the object)

•What happened?• (Asking for

the subject)•What did you do?

• (Asking for the object)

We use question words as the subject of the sentence because

we are asking for the subject (or information about the subject):

Prepositions

It is common for a preposition to come at end of a question:

• Where did you come from?• What is he talking about?

• What is Michael interested in?• What are you good at?• Who do you live with?

Declarative questions• Declarative questions are used when the speaker wants

to make sure of something or express surprise. Declarative questions do not use inversion:

A: I'm a vegetarian.B: Seriously? You don't eat meat at all? (Expressing surprise)

A: Mike and I are going out for dinner.B: Okay. I'll stay home.A: You don't want to come with us? (Making sure)

A: I'm from France.B: Really? You're from France? I thought you were from Germany! (Expressing surprise)

Negative Questions

The auxiliary of a question can be negative. Be careful of the form:

• Contracted Form: Auxiliary Verb + n't + Subject• Long Form: Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Not