Unit 11.1
Wh- Questions in Past Form
Introduction
Wh- questions always begin with one of the wh- question words (interrogative pronouns), which show what kind of information is wanted. [See Wh- Questions in Present Form, level A1]
The wh- questions in the past tense are used to ask for information in the past.
Form
[See Wh- Questions in Present Form, level A1]
In the past tense (both simple and continuous), we use the past forms of the auxiliary and modal verbs.
The structure of wh- questions in past form is:
- With an auxiliary verb:
Wh- question word + auxiliary verb (past form) + subject + verb +…? - With a modal verb:
Wh- question word + modal verb (past form) + subject + verb + …? - Without an auxiliary verb:
What/who + verb (past form) + …?
Which/whose + noun + verb (past form) + …?
Example
- When was the Second World War?
- Where did you live 10 years ago?
- Why did she move to London?
- Which course did you choose?
- What did the director tell you?
- Whose child was that?
- Who ate all the chocolate?
- Whom did he call?
- How did you get there?
Use
[See Wh- Questions in Present Form, level A1]
Summary
Wh-questions start with one of the wh- question words: what, when, where, which, who, whom, whose, why and how.
The wh- question words introduce the questions.
For example:
— “Where did you buy this coat?” = Where introduces an open question, because you can give an infinite number of answers.
♦ “Did you buy this coat in the new shop?” = Yes/no questions require short answers followed by yes or no, they are also called closed questions.
NOTE: An auxiliary (be/have…) or a modal verb (can/could/would…) must be placed after a wh- question and before a subject.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
Exercises
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