Basic English Questions
Quick Answer
English questions come in two types. Yes/no questions start with a helper word — am, is, are, do, or does. Wh- questions start with one of six question words — what, where, when, who, why, how.
Click any word below to learn it on its own page.
Yes/No Questions: Five Helper Words
A yes/no question starts with one of these helpers. The helper is always the very first word.
| Helper | Subject | Example | Lesson |
|---|---|---|---|
| am | I | Am I late? | Learn AM |
| is | he, she, it, one person/thing | Is she here? | Learn IS |
| are | you, we, they, plural | Are you ready? | Learn ARE |
| do | I, you, we, they | Do you like coffee? | Learn DO |
| does | he, she, it | Does she work here? | Learn DOES |
Wh- Questions: Six Question Words
A wh-question asks for information. Each question word opens a different door.
| Word | Asks about | Example | Lesson |
|---|---|---|---|
| what | things, names, information | What is your name? | Learn WHAT |
| where | place | Where do you live? | Learn WHERE |
| when | time | When is the meeting? | Learn WHEN |
| who | people | Who is that? | Learn WHO |
| why | reason | Why are you late? | Learn WHY |
| how | way, feeling, amount | How are you? | Learn HOW |
The Rule in One Line: Yes/no questions start with a helper. Wh-questions start with what, where, when, who, why, or how.
How to Learn These
Learn one a day. Each lesson is short and ends with a quiz so the word sticks. After eleven days, you will be able to ask almost any beginner question in English.
Test Yourself: Basic English Questions
Three quick questions to see what you remember. Click Check after each one.
1. _______ are you from?
2. _______ I in the right room?
3. _______ much does it cost?
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You now have a map of every basic question type in English: five helpers and six question words.
The first lesson is the simplest one — am, the helper for asking about yourself.
Next lesson: Question Word AM — How to Ask About Yourself
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.
