2.1. WHO, WHAT, WHEN?

 

Let's take a look at the questions in the previous section:

QUESTION SENTENCE STRUCTURE

1. Who introduced the Model T in 1908?

WH-word + Past Simple verb + object + time expression 

2. What did the Wright brothers invent in 1905?

WH-word + Auxiliary + verb + object + time expression

3. Who created the first Apple computer when?

WH-word + Past Simple verb + object + time expression
  • Compare the sentence structure in number 1 and number 2. Notice that in number 1 there's no auxiliary verb and, yet, it is an interrogative sentence. This is because the Wh- word acts as the subject of the question. So, it would be INCORRECT to say:

                        Who DID introduce the Model T in 1908?


      Thus, the correct way for the interrogative structure in this case is: Who introduced the Model T in 1908? 
      with no auxiliary  verb. 

     In the short answer, however, the auxiliary verb is used:              Who introduced the Model T in 1908?

                                                                                                     Henry Ford did.

 

  • This is so when Wh- questions words like WHO, WHAT and sometimes WHICH act as the subjects of the interrogative sentences. See the following examples:

                                

                         Who invented penicillin in the 20th century?    

                         What happened at the party yesterday?          

                         Which car finished first in the race?      

      Whereas:

                         Who did you see at the party last night?      (in this case "who" is not the subject, "you" is)

                         What did she want when she called Sunday morning?  (in this case "what" is not the subject, "she" is)

 

 

Do it yourself

Give the question for each answer. The bold items in the answers are the key for each question.

There's one incorrect question that you shouldn't use

CONVERSATION 1   

Q.  last weekend?

A. Erin's friend Daniel did.

 

CONVERSATION 2

Q.  last weekend?

A.  Dave travelled to Dublin.

Q. 

A.  He travelled with his friend Tom.

 

CONVERSATION 3

Q.  ?

A. Because the other team didn't like the final score.

 

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