64 Wh- Questions in Past Form

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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

  1. When was the Second World War?
  2. Where did you live 10 years ago?
  3. Why did she move to London?
  4. Which course did you choose?
  5. What did the director tell you?
  6. Whose child was that?
  7. Who ate all the chocolate? 
  8. Whom did he call?
  9. 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.

Related

For better understanding how to create a Wh-question you can see the auxiliary verb (be/have…) and modal verb (can/could/would…).

In English, besides wh-questions are called open questions, we also have yes or no questions are called close questions.

Exercises


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