Structure of English Questions

English questions can be divided into wh-questions and yes-no questions The structure of these questions varies. Let us look at examples.

Wh-questions begin with wh-words. Though how does not begin with wh, this is also classified as a wh-word. In wh-questions the verb follows the wh-word. This is illustrated in the following questions:

Where are you?
What should we do?
When can they come?

If the wh-question has a main verb other than a be verb, do support is needed.

What do you do?
When did they arrive?
Where do they live?

Yes-no questions with auxiliaries require inversion of the subject and auxiliary. This is illustrated in the following examples.

Can you sing?
May I give you a suggestion?
Must I revise my presentation?

Inversion is also needed with be verbs.

Was it interesting?
Were they happy?
Are you hungry?

With main verbs do-support is required.

Do you know them?
Did they agree with you?
Do you like my new watch?

Indirect questions can contain an embedded yes-no or wh-question. If the embedded question is a wh-question and has a be verb, inversion is needed.

I wonder where they are.
I don't know where he is going.
He wanted to know what the answer was.

In the case of indirect questions with embedded yes-no questions, the conjunction if is added.

We're not sure if they can come.
Do you know if they like fish?
Could you tell me if your parents can join us?

English questions are composed of different structures. In certain cases inversion and do-support are needed. Both inversion and do-support are seen in indirect questions, and indirect questions also contain the conjunction if. The structure of English questions is thus quite varied.