check-my-english.com - The world's biggest and best ESL resource onlineGreat Resources For Teaching & Learning English                                                                                  
 

Skills
Speaking
Listening
Reading
Writing
Grammar
Vocabulary
Business English
Pronunciation
TOEFL/TOEIC
Idioms

Levels
Low Beginning
High Beginning
Low Intermediate
High Intermediate
Advanced


ESL Grammar Resources

Speaking Situations: Simple Questions

check-my-english.com Simple Questions

There are many types of questions in English. The easiest are questions that can be answered "yes" or "no."

    Q: Are you from around here?

    A: Yes, I am.

    Q: Do you come here often?

    A: Yes, I do.

    Q: Can I buy you a drink?

    A: No, thanks.

    Q: Are you married?

    A: Yes, I am.


 To form a question from a statement, first count the number of verbs.

John is a doctor.


One verb: is (be)

Jane drives a sports car.


One verb: drives

Joan played basketball last night.


One verb: played

Jan is eating her dinner.


Two verbs: is eating

June has rented an apartment.


Two verbs: has rented

Jen has been living there since 1969.


Three verbs: has been living


 If there is one verb in the statement and the verb is a form of be, simply switch the
positions of the subject and verb.

Statement


Question

John is a doctor.


Is John a doctor?

The Jensens are here.


Are the Jensens here?


 If there are two verbs, simply switch the positions of the subject and first verb.

Statement


Question

Jan is eating dinner.


Is Jan eating dinner?

June has rented an apartment.


Has June rented an apartment?

Jen has been living here since 1969.


Has Jen been living here since 1969?



 If there is one verb, and the verb is not a form of be, the process is more complex.

1. Add Do to the beginning of the sentence.

The Johnsons live in that house.


Do the Johnsons live in that house?

2. If the main verb "carries" a third person singular s, move the s to Do, making it Does.

Jane drives a car.


Do Jane drives a car? (Not finished yet!)



Does Jane drive a car? (Good question!)

3. If the main verb "carries" past tense, move the past tense to Do, making it Did.

Joan played basketball last night.


Do Joan played basketball? (Not finished yet!)



Did Joan play basketball? (Good question!)



 In conversation, most questions are asked of the second person (you) and answered in the first (I).

    A: Are you from California?

    B: No, I'm from Oregon. Are you?

    A: Yes, I'm from Hollywood.

    B: Do you know any movie stars?

    A: No, I don't go out at night.


 In British English, the main verb have sometimes functions like be in questions. This is not common in American English.

Statement


Question

You have a pet ferret.


Have you a pet ferret? (British)



Do you have a pet ferret? (American)

 

Speaking : Simple Questions

Vocabulary : Wh Words

If you have questions or comments about this page, please contact us.
Be sure to include the title of this page in the Subject line of your e-mail.





ESL Videos to help you speak English

Rosetta Stone - English

Speak English as a Second Language

Learning English - Lesson One


English Greetings & Phrases

English Pronunciation

English - Introductions



                  






© Copyright 2014 check-my-english.com - All Rights Reserved Worldwide - Arlington, VA, USA

TOEFL and TOEIC are registered and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).
No connection with check-my-english.com is implied.

   
Phrases for Conversation
Conversation Topics
Today's News Stories
Language Tutors
Speaking Situations
English Conversation Partners
Speaking Tasks
Articles for Discussion

  

What's New?
Free-English-Study.com
Places to Study
Practice Your English
Daily Lessons
Join Us on Facebook!
Verb List
Job Center
TESOL Courses
Videos
Words in the News
Pictures, Words and Audio
Grammar Explanations
Business Expressions
Teacher Resources
ESLgold Dictionary
Reading Exercises
Todays-Talking-Topics.com
Textbook Recommendations
Resources for Success
Current Topics
Humor
Software and CDs
Word of the Day
Academic Vocabulary Quizzes
Information Articles