These questions ask you to choose an opening that requests exactly the missing information. First classify what the reply would supply; only then build the rest of the question.
Classify the information before choosing the word
Use who when the missing information is a person, what for a thing or action, and whose when ownership is missing. Use which only when the context presents a limited set to choose from; use what when the possible answers are open. For example, Which route do you prefer? fits a choice between two named routes, while What route do you usually take? asks without a stated shortlist.
| Information sought | Opening to use |
|---|---|
| Place, time, reason or manner | where, when, why or how |
| Countable number or uncountable amount | how many or how much |
| Duration, frequency, distance or age | how long, how often, how far or how old |
| A person as object in everyday wording | who, as in Who did Mira invite? |
| A person as object after a fronted preposition in formal wording | whom, as in With whom did Mira travel? |
For a how-phrase, name the measurement before reading the noun. A plural count noun points to how many, whereas a substance or other uncountable noun points to how much. Keep duration, repetition and distance separate: a reply measured in minutes calls for how long, a recurring rate calls for how often, and a span across space calls for how far.
After choosing the opening, build the direct question according to the missing word's role. A wh-subject goes directly before its verb. If a separate subject remains, move be or another existing auxiliary before it; with a simple-tense lexical verb, use do, does or did before the subject and keep the lexical verb bare.
Where the wrong words come from
- What is used for a choice from a stated shortlist. A limited set calls for which; what leaves the category open.
- Who or which is used when the missing relation is ownership. Whose can stand before a noun and asks who possesses it.
- How long is used for every measured gap. Separate time spent from repeated frequency and physical distance before choosing long, often or far.
- How many is paired with a substance or other uncountable noun. Many counts separate items; much measures an amount that is not counted as individual units.
- Who and what are exchanged. Ask whether the missing information is a person or a thing, event or action, rather than relying on the verb alone.
Try it
The answer is 'because the road was flooded.' Which question word asks for that information?
- Where
- Why
- When
- How
Select all that apply. Which question openings correctly match the information requested?
- To ask the footbridge's age: How old is the footbridge?
- To ask the number of empty lockers: How much lockers are empty?
- To ask the number of empty lockers: How many lockers are empty?
- To ask the bus frequency: How long does the hourly bus run?
Transform the source sentence 'The blue helmet is Amina's.' into a possession question. Replace the exact fragment 'Amina's' with the possessive question word and write the complete question: ___