12 structures · CEFR A1–C1

English questions

English has three kinds of question and each is built differently: yes/no questions invert the helping verb, wh- questions put the question word first, and tag questions bolt a short check onto the end of a statement. Word order is what makes a question a question in English; in Hindi the tone of voice can do it alone, which is why the order is the part that has to be practised.

Common questions mistakes

Every one of these is a sentence Indian-English speakers genuinely produce — not a textbook example.

Commonly said	Correct English
You are coming tomorrow?	Are you coming tomorrow? A question moves "are" in front of "you". Yes / No questions →
Where you are going?	Where are you going? "Are" comes before "you", even after "where". Wh- questions →
You are coming, isn't it?	You are coming, aren't you? The tag must match the verb and subject of the sentence. Question tags →
Do you work here? — Yes, I work.	Do you work here? — Yes, I do. The answer repeats the helper — do — not the main verb. Yes, I do. No, she isn't. →
Who did call you?	Who called you? "Who" is the subject here, so the sentence needs no helper at all. Who called you? →
You do not know him?	Don't you know him? The negative helper has to move to the front, like any question. Don't you know? →
Could you tell me where is the station?	Could you tell me where the station is? Inside an indirect question the verb goes back after the subject. Could you tell me where…? →
I do not know where does he live.	I do not know where he lives. Inside a statement there is no "does" and no swap. I don't know where he lives →