Interrogative sentences in English and their types

One of the most difficult topics for students of this foreign language is the interrogative sentence in English. If the Russian question is expressed in intonation and does not require the memorization of special rules, then in Shakespeare's language, depending on the knowledge of the rules, it depends whether you understand or not. That's why interrogative sentences in English are considered difficult, but a must-have material for study.

General questions and their structure

In English grammar, there are many categories of interrogative sentences. But first, let's look at the general scheme for all English questions. Any interrogative sentence begins with a so-called keyword. In this role, the forms of the verb "to be" can appear; "To have"; "To do"; modal verbs; "Shall", "will" and combinations of words that form the grammatical time of the sentence, depending on the situation. Examples:
1) Are we at home already? - Yes, we are; No, we are not.

Are we home yet? - Well no

2) Were you there? - Yes, I was; No, I was not.

You were there? - Well no

3) Is your dad an engineer? He is; He is not

Is your dad an engineer? - Well no

4) Has she got the doll she liked? Yes, she has; No, she has not.

Now she has a doll that she likes? - Well no

5) Have you got any ideas about it?

Any ideas on this?

6) Had she ever got a car? Yes, she had; No, she had not.

Did she ever have a car? - Well no

7) Do you realy speak English so well? I do; No, I do not.

Do you really speak English so well? - Well no

8) Does Nina like sushi? Oh! Yes, she does; No, she does not.

Does Nina love sushi? - Still, how! / No

9) Did they do the job instead of us? Yes, they did. No, they did not.

Did they work for us? Yes, they worked / No, they did not work for us.

10) Can you help me? Sure, I can; No, I can not.

Can you help me? - Of course / no, I can not

11) Should I go business? I think, you should; No, you should not.

Should I start a business? - I think, yes / No, it's not for you

12) Need you this? Oh! I realy need it. No, I need not.

Do you really need this? - Yes, it is necessary / No, it is not necessary

13) Have we been being served in the restraunt well? Yes, we have. No, we have not.

We were well served at the restaurant now? - Well no

14) Will the message have been received in time? Yes, it will. No, it will not

Will the message be received on time? - Yes, on time / No.

15) Is this made of steel? Yes, it is. No, it is not.

Is it made of steel? - Yes, steel / no

These are the simplest interrogative sentences in English. Let's consider other options.

The connection between the auxiliary verb and the structure of the answer to the question

In all the answers presented, it is mandatory to follow the key in which the question is asked. This and the English language is unique. Types of interrogative sentences have a certain similarity in structure. In other words, there is always a part of the answer in the question, namely, an auxiliary verb. With the question "Do you smoke?" You can not answer "No, I'm not."

So, these were "generals questions" - questions that need to be answered "yes" or "no." The difference between them is only in the key word, ie. In the auxiliary verb.
The principle of the special role of the keyword is applicable to almost all categories of interrogative types of sentences. And although it is in the first place for general questions, the word order in other sentences may vary, but it remains the same strict. Thus, the interrogative sentences in English have a well-defined structure, which in no case can not be changed.

Alternative questions

Alternative questions - the question forces you to make a choice. Between words that express choice, there is always a particle "or". Examples:

• Do you prefer driving or riding here? Do you prefer driving or horse riding here?
• So, where did the main character live Rome or Milan? So where exactly did the main character live, in Rome or Milan?
• What is your best swimming or running? What do you do best, swimming or jogging?

The examples clearly show that the answer to such questions should be brief. The last two examples lead us to consider another category of interrogative sentences.

Special questions, or special interrogative sentences in English

A particular category of questions in English is "Wh-questions" or "special questions". They are not difficult for English learners. The construction of the interrogative sentence depends on the initial dispatch of the speaker. The special questions of the topics are unique, that they need not only to understand the essence of the statement, but also to correctly express one's thought without getting into a semantic trap. This category of questions differs in that it does not always obey the general scheme of the English interrogative proposal. Strictly speaking, this category is conditionally divided into 2 types - "object question" and "subject question". The only common thing they have is that "Wh-questions" always begin with one of the following interrogative adverbs: what, where, when, why, which, who, whom, Who, how.

Types of special issues

Object question

The interrogative adverb acts as a pointer to the subject to be answered. Here the "Wh-question" is subject to a common English questionnaire (with the keyword at the beginning of the sentence) only with the amendment that one of the interrogative adverbs is put before the keyword.

• Who do you choose to your team? Him. - Who do you choose to join the team? Him.
• What has this man done? Nothing. - What did this man do something? Nothing special.
• Where are you going? Just shopping. - Where did you go? Yes, just go shopping.

Subject question

The interrogative adverb acts as a pointer to the supplement to the answer. That is, in this case, the cause of the matter is an addition, not a subject. There is an affirmative order of words (not subject to the general English interrogative scheme), but with the amendment that the interrogative adjective acts as a subject. This category is possible only with the words "what" and "who", which in the translation into Russian will always stand in the nominative case.

• Who jumps higher than others? Who jumps above the rest? - Michael jumps higher than others. We jump above the rest of Misha.

"Jumps at us above the rest" is the reason of the question (addition), not Misha (what he is, what he knows, what he knows).

• What makes me well? What makes me feel better? - Oh! It's inspiration. Inspiration.

The essence of the question is "makes me feel better", and not what it is (my inspiration).

For comparison: object question - What does it make yourself yourself? How does it feel to make you feel better?

Special questions can be combined with alternative ones, for example:

• Who do you like, Mary or Lucy? - Who do you like more, Masha or Lyuda?
• What goes next, task or rest? - So what next, task or rest?

What is the difference between interrogative constructions in Russian and English?

Now consider the most radical difference in the answers in Russian and English. Questions with negative questions often serve to enhance the emotional coloring of the question, for example:

• Do not you want to go there with us today? - Do not you go with us there today?

The answer is "yes, (do not want to)", will sound like "No, I do not." And "no, (I want)" - "Yes, I do."

Interrogative sentences in English with a negative word in the answer always mean a negative answer, and vice versa. In the Russian language, with the given question, the word "yes" can mean "I do not want", but the word "no" means "I want". It is wrong to say in English "Yes, I do not". In English, you can not combine "yes" with negative particles. Negative questions are especially relevant in business communication.

• Would not you like a cup of coffee? Would you like a cup of coffee?

Another type of issue - separation issues - also serve more for emotional stress than for conveying the meaning itself. They are translated into Russian only with the help of the design "is not it?" Separating questions are used quite rarely, especially in the colloquial English version. In the flow of speech, British and Americans often use intonation. But it is very important to follow all grammar rules on the letter. Interrogative sentences in English perform their communicative task only if properly constructed. For example:

• Is he just a driver, is not he? "He's just a driver, is not he?"
• The monk likes to be on his own. Does not it? "This monk likes to be alone with himself, right?"

Thus, interrogative sentences in English are a separate section of the grammar, which requires a painstaking and thoughtful study.