Have you ever been stuck trying to form a question in English and wondered if you’re using the right word? Well, you’re not alone! Question words in English are the backbone of everyday conversations, exams, and even casual chats. Without them, it’d be impossible to ask for directions, order food, or get to know someone. In this post, we’ll break down what question words are, how many exist in English, and how to use them correctly with plenty of examples. By the end, you’ll feel confident asking any kind of question in English.
Contents
ToggleWhat are Question Words?
Question words, sometimes called interrogative words, are words we use to ask for specific information rather than a simple yes or no answer. For example: “Where do you live?” or “Why are you late?”. These words help us get details like place, reason, time, or method. They’re essential tools for building meaningful conversations in English.
How Many Question Words in English?
There are nine main question words, often called WH-words because most of them start with “wh.”
These are:
Who, What, When, Where, Why, Which, Whose, Whom, and How.
Each one helps us ask for specific kinds of information. For example:
“Who” asks about people.
“Where” asks about places.
“When” asks about time.
“Why” asks for reasons.
“How” asks about methods or degree.
Question Words and Their Use
Here’s a quick look at the most common question words in English and what they’re used for:
Question Word | Use / Function | Example |
---|---|---|
What | Asks about things, objects, ideas | What is your name? |
Where | Asks about place or location | Where do you live? |
When | Asks about time | When is your birthday? |
Who | Asks about people (subject) | Who is your teacher? |
Whom | Asks about people (object) | Whom are you calling? |
Which | Asks to choose between options | Which color do you prefer? |
Why | Asks about reasons or causes | Why are you late? |
How | Asks about manner, condition, or way | How are you feeling? |
Question Words with Example Sentences
1. What
When to use: We use what to ask about objects, ideas, or specific information. It’s one of the most flexible question words in English.
50 Example Sentences with “What”
- What is your name?
- What do you like to eat?
- What are you doing right now?
- What is that noise?
- What did you buy yesterday?
- What kind of books do you read?
- What color is your car?
- What do you want for dinner?
- What is your favorite movie?
- What is the capital of France?
- What time is it?
- What happened last night?
- What should I wear today?
- What is your dream job?
- What makes you happy?
- What are your hobbies?
- What is the problem here?
- What are you talking about?
- What is your plan for the weekend?
- What is your favorite subject?
- What do you think about this idea?
- What can I do to help?
- What’s the matter with you?
- What’s the weather like today?
- What is your phone number?
- What kind of music do you enjoy?
- What sport do you play?
- What made you laugh so hard?
- What is your favorite food?
- What do you need right now?
- What did you learn in class?
- What is the meaning of this word?
- What would you like to drink?
- What are your goals this year?
- What is the best way to travel there?
- What is going on here?
- What happened to your bag?
- What language do you speak at home?
- What is your biggest fear?
- What kind of phone do you use?
- What do you usually do on Sundays?
- What are you looking for?
- What’s your opinion about this book?
- What is the answer to this question?
- What did you see at the museum?
- What’s your favorite TV show?
- What’s wrong with this computer?
- What do you usually have for breakfast?
- What surprised you the most?
- What should we do next?
2. Where
When to Use: We use where to ask about place or location.
50 Example Sentences with Where
- Where do you live?
- Where are you going?
- Where is the bathroom?
- Where is my phone?
- Where did you buy that jacket?
- Where can I find a taxi?
- Where is the nearest hospital?
- Where is your hometown?
- Where are my keys?
- Where is the train station?
- Where are we meeting tomorrow?
- Where did you put the book?
- Where do you usually shop?
- Where is the library located?
- Where do they sell tickets?
- Where were you last night?
- Where did the cat go?
- Where is the bus stop?
- Where do you want to eat?
- Where is the restaurant?
- Where did you grow up?
- Where are your friends?
- Where should we sit?
- Where are my shoes?
- Where do you work?
- Where are we on the map?
- Where is the hotel located?
- Where is the new office?
- Where is the concert happening?
- Where does she study?
- Where is the remote control?
- Where is your bag?
- Where do you usually go on vacation?
- Where can I buy groceries?
- Where are you staying tonight?
- Where did you park the car?
- Where are you from?
- Where do you keep your money?
- Where do you usually exercise?
- Where is the classroom?
- Where are they playing football?
- Where is your brother now?
- Where should I start?
- Where are the children?
- Where did you learn English?
- Where are the documents?
- Where is your favorite place to travel?
- Where is the supermarket?
- Where do we catch the bus?
- Where can I find more information?
3. When
When to Use: We use when to ask about time.
50 Example Sentences with When
- When is your birthday?
- When will the train arrive?
- When do you usually wake up?
- When did you start learning English?
- When are we leaving?
- When does the movie start?
- When can I call you?
- When is the exam?
- When did you last see him?
- When is the festival?
- When will you be back?
- When did the accident happen?
- When do you usually exercise?
- When are you free?
- When does school start?
- When will we eat dinner?
- When is the concert?
- When should I apply for the job?
- When will the package arrive?
- When did she graduate?
- When can I meet your parents?
- When does the shop open?
- When is the meeting scheduled?
- When will it stop raining?
- When did you arrive here?
- When do we take a break?
- When will you call me?
- When did you get married?
- When is the deadline?
- When should I wake up tomorrow?
- When do they play football?
- When does the flight depart?
- When is the best time to visit Paris?
- When do you usually have lunch?
- When can we meet again?
- When did they move to this house?
- When is the next holiday?
- When do I pay the rent?
- When did the story happen?
- When do you usually study?
- When will the results be out?
- When do you celebrate New Year?
- When was the bridge built?
- When should I start cooking?
- When did you last travel abroad?
- When will you finish your homework?
- When is your next class?
- When did the teacher explain this?
- When will you learn driving?
- When is the party starting?
4. Who
When to Use: We use who to ask about people
50 Example Sentences with “Who”
- Who is your teacher?
- Who called you last night?
- Who is knocking at the door?
- Who is your best friend?
- Who lives in that house?
- Who wants some coffee?
- Who can solve this problem?
- Who told you the news?
- Who is coming with us?
- Who will attend the meeting?
- Who plays the guitar here?
- Who is the winner of the game?
- Who painted this picture?
- Who knows the answer?
- Who can speak Spanish?
- Who is in charge here?
- Who works in this office?
- Who are you waiting for?
- Who made this cake?
- Who teaches you English?
- Who is your favorite singer?
- Who invented the telephone?
- Who is that man?
- Who is the owner of this car?
- Who is responsible for this mess?
- Who is your neighbor?
- Who can I trust?
- Who will win the election?
- Who is sitting in my chair?
- Who made that noise?
- Who broke the window?
- Who helps you with homework?
- Who is standing outside?
- Who is on duty today?
- Who will answer the phone?
- Who likes ice cream?
- Who do you admire most?
- Who is your role model?
- Who is speaking right now?
- Who drives this bus?
- Who is at the top of the list?
- Who is the principal of your school?
- Who designed this building?
- Who can tell me the truth?
- Who borrowed my book?
- Who is singing that song?
- Who is your favorite actor?
- Who told you to wait here?
- Who is waiting at the station?
- Who cares about this?
5. Whom
When to Use:We use whom to ask about the object of a sentence
50 Example Sentences with “Whom”
- Whom are you waiting for?
- Whom did you invite to the party?
- Whom should I contact for help?
- Whom are you talking about?
- Whom did she meet yesterday?
- Whom do you trust the most?
- Whom should I address this letter to?
- Whom are they looking for?
- Whom will you choose as your partner?
- Whom do you admire?
- Whom are we going to visit?
- Whom is he calling now?
- Whom do you see in the picture?
- Whom are you writing this email to?
- Whom did you hear the story from?
- Whom will they appoint as manager?
- Whom do you miss right now?
- Whom are you smiling at?
- Whom should I follow for guidance?
- Whom do you think she loves?
- Whom did the teacher punish?
- Whom are the students waiting for?
- Whom did you share the secret with?
- Whom can we rely on?
- Whom is she married to?
- Whom do you consider a friend?
- Whom will you call tonight?
- Whom is the message for?
- Whom do you want to support?
- Whom did you see at the mall?
- Whom does this book belong to?
- Whom should I ask about this issue?
- Whom is he fighting against?
- Whom do you plan to meet?
- Whom does she remind you of?
- Whom do they depend on?
- Whom are we supposed to inform?
- Whom do you blame for this?
- Whom are you discussing with?
- Whom should I vote for?
- Whom is the teacher helping?
- Whom are you sitting next to?
- Whom do you want to thank?
- Whom will you travel with?
- Whom do you hope to impress?
- Whom did the police arrest?
- Whom does she work for?
- Whom do you remember from school?
- Whom are you thinking about?
- Whom can I speak with about this?
6. Which
When to Use: We use which to ask about choices or options.
50 Example Sentences with “Which”
- Which book is yours?
- Which color do you like best?
- Which movie should we watch?
- Which pen is working?
- Which road should we take?
- Which student answered correctly?
- Which bus goes to the station?
- Which subject do you enjoy most?
- Which phone is cheaper?
- Which is your favorite?
- Which door should I open?
- Which restaurant do you prefer?
- Which song is popular now?
- Which teacher do you like most?
- Which team won the match?
- Which one is correct?
- Which shoes are comfortable?
- Which city do you live in?
- Which dress should I wear?
- Which way should I go?
- Which drink do you want?
- Which language do you study?
- Which train goes to London?
- Which app do you use daily?
- Which question is difficult?
- Which game do you like?
- Which chair is broken?
- Which laptop do you need?
- Which shop is open today?
- Which subject is hardest for you?
- Which job do you want?
- Which fruit is sweet?
- Which teacher is absent today?
- Which exam is tomorrow?
- Which page are you on?
- Which country is the largest?
- Which bag is yours?
- Which student is absent?
- Which answer is correct?
- Which one do you prefer?
- Which season do you enjoy?
- Which class is next?
- Which sport do you play?
- Which hotel is cheaper?
- Which lesson is important?
- Which car is new?
- Which picture do you like?
- Which project are you working on?
- Which animal is fastest?
- Which time is suitable for you?
7. Why
When to Use:We use why to ask about reasons or explanations.
50 Example Sentences with “Why”
- Why are you late?
- Why is the door open?
- Why are you laughing?
- Why did she cry?
- Why are you upset?
- Why is the sky blue?
- Why do you study English?
- Why is he angry?
- Why are you so quiet?
- Why did you leave early?
- Why is she absent today?
- Why are you tired?
- Why do you like pizza?
- Why is he famous?
- Why are you shouting?
- Why did you call me?
- Why are you here?
- Why do birds sing?
- Why are they fighting?
- Why do you need money?
- Why are you smiling?
- Why did you choose this job?
- Why are you studying so late?
- Why do you want to travel?
- Why are you so happy?
- Why did you ignore me?
- Why is the baby crying?
- Why did they cancel the meeting?
- Why are you moving out?
- Why do people celebrate birthdays?
- Why is this topic important?
- Why do we need exercise?
- Why do you trust him?
- Why are you so angry?
- Why did you miss the bus?
- Why are you excited?
- Why are you waiting outside?
- Why did you go there?
- Why is this happening?
- Why is she running?
- Why is the dog barking?
- Why are you late again?
- Why are you so busy?
- Why did you stop talking?
- Why are you hiding here?
- Why are they celebrating?
- Why do you want this book?
- Why is the water dirty?
- Why are you looking sad?
- Why is it important to learn English?
8. How
When to Use: We use how to ask about manner, process, or condition.
50 Example Sentences with “How”
- How are you?
- How do you cook rice?
- How old are you?
- How was your day?
- How do you spell your name?
- How do you go to school?
- How are things going?
- How does this machine work?
- How do you play this game?
- How can I help you?
- How do you feel now?
- How many books do you have?
- How much money is this?
- How tall is he?
- How do I solve this problem?
- How long will it take?
- How do you study English?
- How far is your house?
- How often do you travel?
- How did you meet her?
- How is your family?
- How do you open this?
- How can I get to the airport?
- How do you say this in English?
- How hot is it today?
- How fast can you run?
- How do you celebrate New Year?
- How can I contact you?
- How do you turn this on?
- How is the weather?
- How many languages do you speak?
- How much water do you drink daily?
- How do you know him?
- How are we going to solve this?
- How late is the shop open?
- How long have you lived here?
- How are you feeling today?
- How do you learn vocabulary?
- How do you improve grammar?
- How can I make coffee?
- How do you start a conversation?
- How do I reset the password?
- How important is English?
- How do you get good grades?
- How does the internet work?
- How is your health now?
- How do you pronounce this word?
- How much does this phone cost?
- How do you relax after work?
- How do you plan your day?
FAQs about Question Words With Examples Sentences
Q1. What is WH question words?
They’re question words in English that usually begin with “wh” (what, where, when, who, whom, which, why) and also “how.”
Q2. What are the 8 question words?
The 8 common question words are: What, Where, When, Who, Whom, Which, Why, and How.
Q3. What are 20 examples of questions?
Examples include:
- What is your name?
- Where do you live?
- When is your birthday?
- Who is your best friend?
- Whom are you calling?
- Which book is yours?
- Why are you late?
- How are you?
Conclusion
Mastering question words in English is key to building strong communication skills. They help you ask for information, clarify doubts, and start meaningful conversations. The more you practice these daily, the more natural your English will sound. So, don’t just read them—try using a few of these questions in your next conversation today!