for English Language Learners (ELL) – those learning to speak English as a Second Language (ESL), or English as an Additional Language (EAL)

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The Verb BE – Asking Questions

There are two categories of questions.

1. Yes/No Questions

2. Information Questions

Lesson 6 – Asking Information Questions

To form an INFORMATION QUESTION with the verb be, use the same structure as Y/N Questions. Add a QUESTION WORD at the beginning.

Remember that the verb be must agree with the Subject. Refer to Lesson 1 for review on Subject-Verb Agreement with the verb be

These are the main QUESTION WORDS in English:

VERB (BE) – INFORMATION QUESTIONS

Basic Question Structure Using the Verb (be)

QUESTION WORD + VERB (be) + SUBJECT (pronoun)+ [proper noun, or adjective]

1st person – singular

Why am I late?

1st person – plural

Where are we going?

2nd person – singular or plural

When are you leaving?

3rd person – singular

Who is he helping?

Why is she helping?

How many people is it helping?

3rd person – plural

What are they eating?

TEST YOURSELF

PRONUNCIATION TIP

In spoken English:

• for a YES/NO question the voice goes UP in pitch (rises) at the end of the question
• for an INFORMATION question the voice goes DOWN in pitch (drops) at the end of the question