In questions, the word order subject-verbs-object is the same as in affirmative sentences. The only thing that’s different is that you usually have to put the auxiliary verb (or the main verb “be”) before the subject. Interrogatives are put at the beginning of the sentences:
| interrogative | auxiliary verb | subject | other verb(s) | indirect object | direct object | place | time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | would | you | like to tell | me | |||
| Did | you | have | a party | in your flat | yesterday? | ||
| When | were | you | here? |
Exercise on word order in questions 1
You don’t use an auxiliary verb if you ask for the subject. In this case the interrogative simply takes the place of the subject.
| interrogative | verb(s) | object |
|---|---|---|
| Who | asked | you? |
Exercise on word order in questions 2
More Exercises
- Questions in Simple Present
- Questions in Present Progressive
- Questions in Simple Past
- Questions in Past Progressive
- Questions in Present Perfect Simple
- Questions in Present Perfect Progressive
- Questions with Interrogatives in Simple Present
- Questions with Interrogatives in Present Progressive
- Questions with Interrogatives in Simple Past
- Questions with Interrogatives in Past Progressive
- Questions with Interrogatives in Simple Past
- Questions with Interrogatives in Past Progressive
- Questions with Interrogatives in Present Perfect Simple
- Questions with and without Interrogatives in Past Perfect Simple