What Is an Interrogative Pronoun? (With List and Example Sentences)
Understanding interrogative pronouns in English grammar is important for answering questions correctly in school, scoring high in exams, and speaking or writing clear English. This topic teaches you to use words like “who,” “what,” and “which” with accuracy in real conversations and test situations.
| Interrogative Pronoun | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Person (subject) | Who is calling you? |
| Whom | Person (object) | Whom did you see at the market? |
| Whose | Person/object (possession) | Whose bag is this? |
| What | Thing/idea | What are you reading? |
| Which | Choice (person or thing) | Which dress do you like? |
What are Interrogative Pronouns?
Interrogative pronouns are words used to ask questions about unknown people, objects, or choices. The main interrogative pronouns in English are: who, whom, whose, what, and which. They help you form questions such as “Who won the race?” or “Which is your bag?” Interrogative pronouns make communication clearer during exams, classroom discussions, and everyday conversations.
Types and Usage of Interrogative Pronouns
Each interrogative pronoun has a specific use. “Who” asks about the subject, “Whom” is for objects, “Whose” asks about possession, “What” is for things or ideas, and “Which” is used when choosing from a set. Knowing their functions helps you form correct questions and avoid mistakes.
- Who: Used for people as the subject.
Example: Who will help us? - Whom: Used for people as the object.
Example: Whom did you invite? - Whose: Asks about ownership.
Example: Whose notebook is this? - What: Refers to things or information.
Example: What is your favorite color? - Which: Used when there is a choice.
Example: Which way is shorter?
Difference Between Interrogative Pronouns and Interrogative Adjectives
Students often confuse interrogative pronouns with interrogative adjectives. Interrogative pronouns stand alone and replace nouns. Interrogative adjectives come before a noun and modify it. For example, in “Which is better?” (“which” is a pronoun), but in “Which book do you want?” (“which” is an adjective).
| Sentence | Type |
|---|---|
| Which is yours? | Interrogative Pronoun |
| Which bag is yours? | Interrogative Adjective |
| Whose are these? | Interrogative Pronoun |
| Whose shoes are these? | Interrogative Adjective |
Interrogative Pronouns in Real-Life English
During exams, spotting the correct interrogative pronoun is key. In daily English, you use these words to ask questions about people or things. For writing and speaking, correctly using “who,” “what,” or “which” shows strong grammar skills. At Vedantu, we provide simple tips and worksheets to practice these in real situations.
10 Example Sentences Using Interrogative Pronouns
- Who brought these books?
- Whom did you call last night?
- Whose umbrella is this?
- What is your opinion?
- Which shirt do you prefer?
- Who will take the lead?
- Whom are you waiting for?
- Whose turn is it to speak?
- What made you laugh?
- Which food do you like most?
Practice Worksheets and Revision Exercises
Practice using interrogative pronouns is important for exam confidence. Download worksheets and take quizzes to strengthen what you have learned. Try fill-in-the-blank questions or match the sentence exercises with answers to check your understanding. For more interactive practice, visit Pronouns Exercises.
Related Pronoun and Grammar Topics
For a deeper understanding, explore these related topics on Vedantu:
- Types of Pronouns
- Interrogative Sentences
- Relative Pronouns
- Pronouns Exercises
- Demonstrative Pronouns
In summary, interrogative pronouns help form direct questions in English. They include “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “what,” and “which.” Understanding their usage improves both written and spoken English. Regular practice with Vedantu resources ensures exam success and everyday confidence in English grammar.
FAQs on Interrogative Pronouns Explained: Meaning, Examples & Rules
1. What is an interrogative pronoun?
An interrogative pronoun is a word used to begin a question. It replaces a noun that is unknown. The main interrogative pronouns in English are who, whom, whose, what, and which.
2. What are the five main interrogative pronouns?
The five main interrogative pronouns are who, whom, whose, what, and which. They each have slightly different uses, depending on whether they refer to people, things, or possession.
3. What is the difference between 'who' and 'whom'?
Who is used as the subject of a verb (who is doing the action?), while whom is used as the object of a verb or preposition (who is receiving the action or is being affected by the preposition?). For example: Who threw the ball? (Who is the subject). To whom did you give the ball? (Whom is the object of the preposition 'to').
4. How do you use 'whose' as an interrogative pronoun?
Whose is used to ask about possession. For example: Whose book is this? It asks about the owner of the book.
5. What is the difference between an interrogative pronoun and an interrogative adjective?
An interrogative pronoun stands alone and replaces a noun (e.g., Who is coming?), while an interrogative adjective modifies a noun (e.g., Which book did you choose?).
6. Give five example sentences using interrogative pronouns.
- Who is singing?
- Whom did you call?
- Whose car is that?
- What time is it?
- Which dress should I wear?
7. What are some compound interrogative pronouns?
Compound interrogative pronouns include whoever, whomever, whatever, and whichever. These add emphasis or suggest a wider range of possibilities.
8. Can you explain the use of 'what' as an interrogative pronoun?
What is used to ask about things or ideas, regardless of whether it's the subject or object of the verb. For example: What is your favorite color? (subject) What did you eat? (object)
9. How is 'which' different from 'what' as an interrogative pronoun?
Which is used when choosing from a limited set of options, while what is used when the options are unknown. For example: Which color do you prefer, red or blue? (limited options). What color is your car? (unknown options).
10. What are some common mistakes to avoid when using interrogative pronouns?
Common mistakes include confusing who and whom, and incorrectly using whose. Practice using them in sentences to improve accuracy.
11. How are interrogative pronouns used in indirect questions?
In indirect questions, the interrogative pronoun remains the same, but the word order changes to a statement-like structure. For example: I wonder who will win. Tell me what happened.
12. What resources are available for practicing with interrogative pronouns?
Vedantu offers various resources like practice exercises, worksheets, and quizzes to help you master interrogative pronouns. These are designed to reinforce learning and prepare you for exams.
