Do you want to sound more confident in English? Learning how to ask and answer WH questions is one of the best ways to improve your speaking skills.
In this lesson, you will find clear examples wh questions, simple explanations, and practical sentences that show you how to use each WH-word in daily conversation.
1- What Are WH Questions?
WH questions (also written as W H questions) are questions that begin with words like what, when, where, who, why, and how.
They are used to get real information, not just “yes” or “no” answers.
🗣 Common WH words:
| Question Word | Used to Ask About | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| What | things / objects | What is your favorite color? |
| When | time | When do you wake up? |
| Where | place | Where do you live? |
| Who | person (subject) | Who called you yesterday? |
| Whom | person (object) | Whom did you invite to the party? |
| Which | choice between options | Which dress do you like more? |
| Whose | possession / ownership | Whose phone is this? |
| Why | reason | Why are you late? |
| How | manner / way / condition | How do you learn English? |
👉 Note:
There are also many combinations with “how”:
- How long / How often / How far → for duration, frequency, or distance.
- How many → for countable things (How many apples do you want?)
- How much → for uncountable things (How much money do you have?)
2- How to Form WH-Questions
The structure of WH-questions depends on whether you use an auxiliary verb (do, does, did, is, are, can, etc.) or not.
(a) With an Auxiliary Verb
WH-word + Auxiliary + Subject + Main Verb
Example:
- What do you like to eat?
- Why are you crying?
- Where did they go?
(b) Without an Auxiliary Verb
If the WH-word itself is the subject, we do not use an auxiliary verb.
Example:
- What happened? ✅ (not What did happen?)
- Who called you? ✅ (not Who did call you?)
3- How to Answer W H Questions
You cannot answer WH questions with “yes” or “no”. You must give specific information.
| Question | Good Answer |
|---|---|
| What are you doing? | I’m studying English. |
| When does the movie start? | It starts at 8 PM. |
| Where is your bag? | It’s on the chair. |
| Who is your teacher? | My teacher is Mr. Brown. |
| Whose book is this? | It’s Sarah’s book. |
| Why are you tired? | Because I didn’t sleep well. |
| How do you go to work? | I take the bus every morning. |
💡 Tip: Always answer with a complete sentence to sound more natural and fluent.
4-Examples of wh questions
Here are the main WH words with short meanings and examples of wh questions for each one:
🗣 a. What – asking about things
Use: To ask about objects, ideas, or actions.
WH question examples:
- What is your favorite food?
- What are you doing?
- What time is it?
- What do you like to watch on TV?
⏰ b. When – asking about time
Use: To ask about time or date.
Examples wh questions:
- When is your birthday?
- When do you go to work?
- When did she arrive?
- When will the rain stop?
📍 c. Where – asking about place
Use: To ask about a location.
Examples of wh questions:
- Where do you live?
- Where is your phone?
- Where are they going?
- Where did you buy that book?
👤 d. Who – asking about people
Use: To ask about a person (as subject).
W H questions examples:
- Who is calling you?
- Who helps you with your homework?
- Who broke the window?
- Who is your favorite singer?
🙋♂️ e. Whom – asking about people (object form)
Use: To ask about a person receiving an action.
Examples wh questions:
- Whom did you invite to the party?
- Whom are you waiting for?
- Whom did she meet yesterday?
⚖️ f. Which – asking about a choice
Use: To choose between options.
Wh question examples:
- Which color do you like more, blue or green?
- Which one is cheaper?
- Which is your favorite subject?
📚 g. Whose – asking about possession
Use: To ask who something belongs to.
Examples of wh questions:
- Whose pen is this?
- Whose car is outside?
- Whose shoes are these?
🤔 h. Why – asking about reason
Use: To ask for a reason or explanation.
W H questions examples:
- Why are you late?
- Why did he cry?
- Why are you learning English?
💡 i. How – asking about manner or method
Use: To ask about the way something happens.
Examples wh questions:
- How are you today?
- How do you go to school?
- How did you learn English?
👉 Extra “How” combinations:
- How many apples do you want?
- How much water do you drink?
- How long does it take to get home?
- How often do you read books?
Conclusion
Now you know many wh question examples and how to use them correctly in English.
Practice them every day — ask and answer with your friends, teachers, or even in front of a mirror.
The more you use them, the more fluent you’ll become!
