How Do You Change a Statement Into an Interrogative Sentence?
Interrogative sentences are essential in English grammar for asking questions clearly. They help students in classrooms, during exams, and in daily speaking or writing. Knowing how to form and use interrogative sentences gives you confidence for both academic and real-life English situations.
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yes/No Question | Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb | Are you ready? |
| Wh- Question | Wh-word + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb | Where do you live? |
| Choice/Alternative Question | Aux Verb + Subject + Verb...or...? | Do you want tea or coffee? |
| Tag Question | Statement + Tag | You finished your work, didn’t you? |
| Indirect Question | Intro phrase + question | Can you tell me where she went? |
What Is an Interrogative Sentence?
An interrogative sentence is a sentence that asks a question and ends with a question mark. In English, interrogative sentences use specific structures to get information from others. They are used in both spoken and written communication to learn, clarify, and confirm details.
Key Points about Interrogative Sentences
- Start with an auxiliary (helping) verb or a 'wh-' word.
- The main goal is to gather information or request clarification.
- Always end with a question mark.
- Word order differs from statements—usually the verb comes before the subject.
Types of Interrogative Sentences and Their Examples
- Yes/No Questions: These get “yes” or “no” answers.
Example: “Is he your brother?” - Wh- Questions: Start with words like what, why, where, when, who, which, how.
Example: “How old are you?” - Choice or Alternative Questions: Offer two or more options.
Example: “Do you want an apple or a banana?” - Tag Questions: Add a short question at the end of a sentence.
Example: “She is coming, isn’t she?” - Indirect Questions: Used politely or formally.
Example: “Could you tell me what time it is?”
How to Form Interrogative Sentences
- For present simple: Do/Does + subject + base verb (“Do you play cricket?”)
- For past simple: Did + subject + base verb (“Did they arrive on time?”)
- For continuous tenses: Am/Is/Are/Was/Were + subject + -ing verb
- With modals: Modal (can/may/should etc.) + subject + base verb
- If using wh-words: Wh-word + auxiliary/modal + subject + main verb (“Where did you go?”)
- Always end with a question mark.
Common Uses of Interrogative Sentences
- Gathering information: “What is your name?”
- Seeking clarification: “Did you mean this answer?”
- Engaging in a conversation: “Where are you from?”
- Confirming or checking: “Are you coming today?”
- Offering choices: “Will you have juice or water?”
Conversion: Making Interrogative Sentences from Statements
- Identify the auxiliary or modal verb.
- If there is no auxiliary, use “do/does/did” (for simple tenses).
- Invert the subject and the first verb.
- Add a question mark at the end.
Example: Statement – “She likes music.”
Interrogative – “Does she like music?”
Sample Interrogative Sentences for Practice
- Are you feeling better?
- When will the results be announced?
- Does your friend play football?
- Have you finished your homework?
- Can you help me with this?
Quick Tips to Avoid Mistakes
- Don’t forget the question mark at the end.
- Remember to invert subject and verb where needed.
- For “wh-” questions, place the question word at the start.
- For present tense questions without an auxiliary, use “do/does”.
Summary
Interrogative sentences help you ask for details, check information, and keep conversations going. Learning the different types and their correct structure improves your grammar for school, exams, and everyday English. At Vedantu, we make these grammar points simple so you can use interrogative sentences confidently in both speech and writing.
For more on sentence types, see Types of Sentences in English.
FAQs on Interrogative Sentences: Meaning, Structure, and Examples
1. What is an interrogative sentence?
An interrogative sentence is a sentence that asks a question. It always ends with a question mark (?). These sentences aim to elicit information or confirmation from the listener.
2. What are the main types of interrogative sentences?
The primary types are:
- Yes/No questions: Answerable with a simple 'yes' or 'no' (e.g., Are you happy?).
- Wh- questions: Begin with a question word like who, what, where, when, why, or how (e.g., Where is the library?).
- Alternative questions: Offer a choice of answers (e.g., Would you like tea or coffee?).
- Tag questions: Add a short question to a statement for confirmation (e.g., It's sunny today, isn't it?).
3. How do I form a yes/no question?
Yes/no questions typically begin with an auxiliary verb (e.g., is, are, do, does, have, has, will, can, could, should, would, may, might). The subject then follows, followed by the main verb. Example: Do you like pizza?
4. How do I form a wh-question?
Wh- questions start with a wh- word. The auxiliary verb usually comes next, followed by the subject and the main verb. Example: What time does the movie start?
5. What is the difference between an interrogative and a declarative sentence?
An interrogative sentence asks a question and ends with a question mark. A declarative sentence makes a statement and ends with a period. Example (Interrogative): Is it raining? Example (Declarative): It is raining.
6. What are some common mistakes students make with interrogative sentences?
Common mistakes include incorrect word order, forgetting question marks, and confusing interrogative sentences with other sentence types like imperatives or exclamations.
7. How do I change a declarative sentence into an interrogative sentence?
To transform a declarative sentence, you usually need to adjust the word order and add an auxiliary verb if necessary. For example: Declarative: She plays the piano. Interrogative: Does she play the piano?
8. What is a question tag, and how is it used?
A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement to seek confirmation. It usually consists of an auxiliary verb and a pronoun. Example: She is a doctor, isn't she?
9. Give five examples of interrogative sentences.
Here are five examples:
- What is your favorite color?
- Are you coming to the party?
- Where did you go yesterday?
- Can you help me with this problem?
- Is it raining outside?
10. How does the tense of a verb affect the structure of an interrogative sentence?
The tense of the verb determines the form of the auxiliary verb used in the question. For example: Present Simple (Does he sing?), Present Continuous (Is he singing?), Past Simple (Did he sing?), etc. The placement of the auxiliary verb relative to the subject also changes depending on the tense.
11. What is the role of auxiliary verbs in interrogative sentences?
Auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) are crucial in forming most interrogative sentences. They often come before the subject to indicate a question. Examples include 'is,' 'are,' 'do,' 'does,' 'have,' 'has,' 'will,' 'can,' 'could,' etc. They help establish the tense and mood of the question.
