Simple explanation
What are English question words? Question words are words placed at the beginning of questions to ask for specific information. They help the listener understand what kind of answer is needed. The most common A1 question words are who, what, where, when, why, and how. The meaning of each question word Who asks about people. What asks about things, information, or actions. Where asks about places. When asks about time. Why asks about reasons. How asks about the way something happens or a condition. The basic structure of questions In many Present Simple questions, we use do or does after the question word. The common structure is: Question word + do/does + subject + base verb. Questions with the verb to be When the sentence uses the verb to be, we do not use do or does. The verb to be comes directly after the question word: Who is she? Where are they?
Grammar formula
Present Simple question with do
Question word + do + subject + base verb?Where do you work?
Present Simple question with does
Question word + does + subject + base verb?Where does she live?
Question with to be
Question word + be + subject?Who is he?
Core rules
- 1
Use who for people
Use who when you want information about a person, someone's identity, or the person doing an action.
- 2
Use what for things and information
Use what when you ask about objects, activities, names, jobs, or general information.
- 3
Use where for places
Use where when you want to know the location of a person or thing.
- 4
Use when for time
Use when when you ask about a day, date, time, or moment.
- 5
Use why for reasons
Use why when you want to know the reason for an action or situation.
- 6
Use how for methods and conditions
Use how when you ask about the way something happens or someone's condition.
Useful examples
Who is your best friend?
A person you like most as a friend.
Who is used because the answer is a person.
What is your favorite movie?
The movie that you like the most.
What asks for information about a thing.
Where do you live?
The place where you live.
Where is used for locations.
When do you usually wake up?
The time you normally get up.
When asks about time.
Why are you learning English?
The reason you study English.
Why asks for a reason.
How do you travel to work?
The way you go to your workplace.
How asks about a method or process.
Who works in this restaurant?
The person who has a job in this restaurant.
Who can ask about the person doing an action.
What do you do after dinner?
The activity you do after eating dinner.
What can ask about actions and activities.
Where is my phone?
The location of my phone.
With to be, we put the verb directly after the question word.
How old are you?
Your age.
How can combine with adjectives to ask about measurements or conditions.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Where you live? ✅ Where do you live? Present Simple questions with normal verbs need do or does.
- ❌ What you like? ✅ What do you like? The question word does not replace the auxiliary verb.
- ❌ Why you are tired? ✅ Why are you tired? With to be, the verb comes before the subject in questions.
- ❌ Who do is she? ✅ Who is she? Questions with to be do not use do.
- ❌ How you go to school? ✅ How do you go to school? A normal Present Simple question needs do before the subject.
Learning tips
- First decide what information you need: person, thing, place, time, reason, or method.
- Learn each question word with a real example instead of memorizing only the translation.
- After do and does, always use the base form of the verb.
- Remember common combinations like how old, how much, and how many.
Practise this topic
Interactive exercises for this topic are coming soon.
PlannedRelated grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between who and what?
Who asks about people. What asks about things, information, or activities.
Do I always need do after a question word?
No. Questions with the verb to be and some questions where who is the subject do not use do.
Why do we say How old are you instead of What old are you?
How is used to ask about conditions, measurements, and amounts.
How can I remember English question words easily?
Connect each word with its purpose: who for people, what for things, where for places, when for time, why for reasons, and how for methods.