Introduction
Wh-words are question words used to ask for specific information. They usually begin with the letters Wh, which is why they are called Wh-words. The most common Wh-words are:
- Where : ទីណា
- When : ពេលណា
- Why : ហេតុអ្វី
- What : អ្វី
- Who : នរណា
- Whose : របស់នរណា
- Which : មួយណា
- How : តាមរបៀបណា
- How long : ប្រវែងណា
- How old : អាយុប៉ន្មាន
- How far : ឆ្ងាយប៉ុណ្ណា
- How much : ថ្លៃប៉ុន្មាន
- How many : មានប៉ុន្មាន
Even " how" doesn't start with wh, it is still taught together with the other wh-question words. Knowing how to use each one clearly is essential important for a language learner to be able to ask for full information from someone else. Now, let's learn in detail with meaning and examples for each Wh-word mentioned above.
1. What are Wh-Questions?
Wh-questions are questions that require more information than simply Yes or No.Example:
Yes/No Question: Do you like coffee?
Answer: Yes, I do. / No, I don't.
Wh-Question:
What do you like to drink?
Answer: I like to drink coffee.
Wh-questions are usually used to ask for full information about a person, thing, place, time, reason, or method.
2. The Main Wh-Words and Their Uses
3. What
We use what to ask about things, information, actions, or ideas.
Structure:
What + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb?
Examples:
- What is your phone number?
- What does she do to earn a living?
- What are you watching?
- What did you do before you went to bed last night?
- What do you normally do in your free time?
Answers:
Question: What is your favorite food?
Answer: My favorite food is hamburger.
Question: What are you doing?
Answer: I am washing the dishes.
4. Where
We use where to ask about a place or location.Examples
- Where do you study?
- Where is your house?
- Where is he going?
- Where did you go last week?
- Where does she work?
Question: Where does she live?
Answer: She lives in Phnom Penh.
Question: Where are your pens?
Answer: They are in my pencil case.
Common expressions with Where:
- Where are you from?
- Where do you work?
- Where are they going?
- Where did you go yesterday?
5. When
We use when to ask about time.
Examples:
- When is your birthday?
- When do you go to school?
- When does the movie start?
- When did you arrive?
- When will you come back?
Answers:
Question: When is your birthday?
Answer: My birthday is in June.
Question: When do you study English?
Answer: I study English in the evening.
6. Who
We use who to ask about people.
Examples:
- Who is your teacher?
- Who is calling you?
- Who do you live with?
- Who came to the party?
- Who will help us?
Answers:
Question: Who is that man?
Answer: He is my father.
Question: Who teaches you English?
Answer: Mr. Dara teaches me English.
Important Note
When who is the subject of a question, we usually do not use do, does, or did.
( Incorrect) : Who called you?
( Correct) : Who did call you?
7. Whom
Whom is used to ask about a person who receives an action. It is more formal than who.
Examples:
- Whom did you meet?
- Whom are you talking to?
- Whom did she invite?
In everyday English, many people use who instead of whom.
Formal:
- Whom did you invite?
Informal:
- Who did you invite?
Both can be understood, but whom is more formal.
8. Whose
We use whose to ask about possession or ownership.Examples:
- Whose book is this?
- Whose bag is on the table?
- Whose phone is ringing?
- Whose bicycle did you borrow?
Question: Whose pen is this?
Answer: It is my pen.
Or:
It is mine.
Question: Whose car is that?
Answer: It is my father's car.
9. Which
We use which when there is a limited choice between two or more things.Examples:
- Which color do you like?
- Which dress do you want?
- Which subject is your favorite?
- Which bus goes to the market?
Question: Which do you prefer, tea or coffee?
Answer: I prefer coffee.
What vs. Which
What is used for general information.
What is your favorite color?
Which is used when choices are limited.
Which color do you prefer, red or blue?
10. Why
We use why to ask about a reason.Examples:
- Why are you sad?
- Why are you late?
- Why do you study English?
- Why did she leave?
- Why are they laughing?
Question: Why are you tired?
Answer: Because I worked all day.
Question: Why do you learn English?
Answer: Because I want to communicate with international people.
11. How
We use how to ask about the way something happens or the condition of someone or something.
Examples:
- How are you?
- How do you go to school?
- How does this machine work?
- How did you make this cake?
Answers:
Question: How do you go to school?
Answer: I go to school by bicycle.
Question: How are you today?
Answer: I am fine, thank you.
12. Common Questions with How
How can be combined with other words to ask for more specific information.How old
Used to ask about age.
- How old are you?
- How old is your sister?
How many
Used with countable plural nouns.
- How many students are there?
- How many books do you have?
- How many brothers do you have?
How much
Used with uncountable nouns or to ask about price.
Quantity:
- How much water do you drink?
- How much money do you have?
- How much is this shirt?
- How much does it cost?
Used to ask about frequency.
- How often do you exercise?
- How often do you study English?
How long
Used to ask about duration or length.
- How long is the river?
- How long does the class last?
How far
Used to ask about distance.
- How far is your school from your house?
- How far is Phnom Penh from Siem Reap?
How fast
Used to ask about speed.
- How fast can you run?
- How fast is the car going?
Used to ask about height.
- How tall are you?
- How tall is that building?
Wh-Questions Quiz
Choose the best answer for each question.
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