Interrogative Sentences Definition, examples, sentence structure, and usage If you listen to an everyday conversation, youll notice the

e exchange isnt simply statements of facts or ideas. Of course, these types of statements (called declarative sentences) are part of the dialogue, but unless the conversation is entirely one-way, chances are youll also hear requests or commands (imperative sentences), exclamations (exclamatory sentences) or questions (interrogative sentences). Thats how normal dialogue occurs and in order for your writing to be engaging and interesting, you need to do what comes naturally in everyday language. Sentences that ask a question are called interrogative sentences. Theyre easy to spot -they always end with a question mark (?). But its not quite as simple as that. Not all interrogative sentences are the same. There are four types of Interrogative sentences. Yes/No interrogatives Alternative interrogatives. Wh-interrogatives Tag questions. Yes/no interrogatives are questions that can be answered with a yes or a no response. You probably ask or are asked these questions every day. Here are some examples of yes/no interrogative sentences: Mister, can you spare a dime? Did you take your vitamin this morning? Do you have your homework ready? Are you ready to go? Did you go to the game Friday night? For each of the above questions, the answer will be either a yes or no answer. Alternative interrogatives are questions that provide for two or more alternative answers. In other words, youre providing a choice. Examples of alternative interrogative sentences: Would you prefer chocolate or vanilla ice cream? Should I call or email you? Do you want coffee, tea, or soda? Wh-interrogatives sentences begin with a wh-word and call for an open-ended answer. A yes or no answer isnt appropriate for these questions, nor does the question provide alternative answers. The answer can be a simple response or complex explanation. Examples of wh-interrogative sentences: What are you doing? Where do you live? Who is playing in the Super Bowl? What is the meaning of this? Which songs do you like best?

Tag questions are questions attached or tagged onto the ending of a declarative statement. They transform a declarative sentence into an interrogative sentence. Examples: You live in the city, dont you? We need to get going now, dont we? Theres a game on today, isnt there? Youre coming to the party, arent you? Sometimes interrogative sentences are actually declarative sentences that have a question mark at the end. If you ask this type of question, the last syllable of the final word in the sentence is spoken with a rising intonation. Here are a few examples. The bus has already left? The Saints won the Super Bowl? Its snowing in Florida? Youve lost 15 pounds already? The Subject of Interrogative Sentences The subject of interrogative sentences may not be obvious. Typically, you can spot them right after the verb. But theres a way to make the subject easier to spot. Simply rewrite the question into a statement and then the subject is then easy to find. Here are some examples below. First youll find an interrogative sentence. Immediately following is the declarative form of the sentence with the subject underlined. Did you clean up your room? You cleaned up your room. Has Jack come to visit? Jack has come to visit. Is this Jills wallet? This is Jills wallet. Interrogative sentences are the most simple to identify. They always ask a question or request information. Simply look for the question mark at the end and youll have no problem finding or understanding the function of interrogative sentences. Negative questions are formed from negative sentences, as in "Aren't you coming?" and "Why does he not answer?" Indirect questions (or interrogative content clauses) are subordinate clauses used within sentences to refer to a question (as opposed to direct questions, which are interrogative sentences themselves). An example of an indirect question is where Jack is in the sentence "I wonder where Jack is." Note that English and many other languages do not use inversion in indirect questions, even though they would in the corresponding direct question ("Where is Jack?"), as described in the following section. Phrases for Indirect Questions Could you tell me Do you know I was wondering Do you have any idea Id like to know Would it be possible Is there any chance Direct and Indirect Questions in English: Examples

Direct: Where is Market Street? Indirect: Could you tell me where Market Street is? In indirect questions with is/are, the verb (is) comes after the subject (Market Street).

Direct What time does the bank open? Indirect: Do you know what time the bank opens? In indirect questions, we dont use the auxiliary verbs do/does/did. Also, you can see that the verb is open in the direct question, and opens in the indirect question.

Direct: Why did you move to Europe? Indirect: I was wondering why you moved to Europe. Again, there is no auxiliary verb did in the indirect question. In fact, this indirect question isnt even a question its more of a statement that invites the other person to give more information.

Direct: How has he managed to get in shape so quickly? Indirect: Do you have any idea how hes managed to get in shape so quickly? The auxiliary verbs have and has can be used in both the direct and indirect questions but in the direct question, has comes before the subject (he), and in the indirect question, has comes after the subject.

Direct: How much does this motorcycle cost? Indirect: Id like to know how much this motorcycle costs. To form the indirect question, remove does and change cost to costs.

Direct: Can you finish the project by tomorrow? Indirect: Would it be possible for you to finish the project by tomorrow? For direct questions with can, we can use the phrase would it be possible to make it indirect.

Direct: Can we change the meeting to Thursday? Indirect: Is there any chance we could change the meeting to Thursday? Is there any chance is another option for forming indirect questions with can.