To communicate effectively in English, you need to know how to ask the right questions. These “wh-words” (interrogative pronouns and adverbs) are the building blocks of every conversation. This guide provides a clear list of English question words, grammar rules for their use, and a practice quiz to test your fluency.
Common question words in English: A complete list with examples
To help you choose the right word for your sentence, here is a quick-reference table of the primary interrogative pronouns and adverbs.
| Question word | Primary use | Example sentence |
| Who | People | Who is the new manager? |
| What | Specific things or actions | What are you planning for dinner? |
| Where | Places or locations | Where did you park the car? |
| When | Time and dates | When does the flight arrive? |
| Why | Reasons or explanations | Why is the office closed today? |
| How | Manner, condition, or process | How does this software work? |
| Which | Choosing between options | Which flavor would you like? |
| Whose | Possession or ownership | Whose keys are on the counter? |
How to use question words in a sentence
Using these words correctly depends on what kind of information you are seeking. Let’s look at the nuances of each.
Who
Use “who” when the answer you expect is a person.
- Who is at the door?
- Who made this mess on the floor?
What
This is the most versatile question word. Use it for objects, concepts, or actions.
- What is that on your shirt?
- What in the world is happening to your car?
When and where
“When” refers to temporal information (time), while “where” refers to spatial information (location).
- When are you leaving for London?
- Where in the world are my keys?
Why
This seeks a reason. Usually, the answer to a “why” question starts with the word “because.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, “why” is used to talk about reasons and explanations.
- Why do you talk so loudly?
- Why is the grass dying?
Which vs. what
Use “which” when there is a limited set of options. Use “what” when the possibilities are unlimited.
- Which of these two shirts do you want?
- What is your favorite color?
Expanding “how” for quantity and frequency
The word “how” is an interrogative adverb often used to ask about intensity or amount. Understanding the difference between how much and how many is a common hurdle for ESL students.
- How much (uncountable): Use for money, liquids, or abstract concepts.
- How much does it cost?
- How many (countable): Use for individual items you can count.
- How many pairs of shoes do you have?
- How often (frequency): Use to ask about habits.
- How often does it rain here?
- How long (duration): Use for time or physical length.
- How long have you been teaching?
- How far (distance): Use for geographical or metaphorical distance.
- How far is the store from here?
Pro tip: Still struggling with countables? I highly recommend picking up a copy of English Grammar in Use. It has dedicated exercises for “how much” and “how many” that make these rules stick.
Frequently asked questions about English question words
English question words practice quiz: Test your knowledge
Use this interactive English grammar quiz to practice using interrogative words. Select the best “wh-” word to complete each sentence based on the provided answer (Who, What, Where, When, Why, Which, How, Whose, How much, or How many).
- ______ is the tallest building in the world? (Answer: The Burj Khalifa.)
- ______ are you so happy today? (Answer: Because I passed my exam!)
- ______ does the summer break start? (Answer: It starts in June.)
- ______ sugar do you want in your coffee? (Answer: Just one spoonful, please.)
- ______ is that person standing by the gate? (Answer: That is my uncle.)
- ______ purse is this on the table? (Answer: It belongs to Sarah.)
- ______ do I get to the train station from here? (Answer: Turn left and walk two blocks.)
- ______ of these two movies should we watch? (Answer: Let’s watch the comedy.)
- ______ siblings do you have? (Answer: I have two brothers and one sister.)
- ______ did you put my car keys? (Answer: I left them on the kitchen counter.)
Answer key and explanations
| Question | Correct answer | Why? |
| 1 | What | Asking about a specific thing/object. |
| 2 | Why | Seeking a reason (indicated by “Because”). |
| 3 | When | Asking about a specific time or date. |
| 4 | How much | Sugar is uncountable, so we use “how much.” |
| 5 | Who | Asking about a person. |
| 6 | Whose | Asking about possession/ownership. |
| 7 | How | Asking for directions or the “manner” of getting there. |
| 8 | Which | Choosing between a limited set of options (two movies). |
| 9 | How many | Siblings are countable people. |
| 10 | Where | Asking about a location. |
If you found this quiz challenging, don’t worry! Most learners do. To level up your skills, check out the Betty Azar Understanding & Using English Grammar series. It’s the workbook I always suggest for mastering these specific sentence structures.
Videos to help you learn
For those who prefer a visual explanation, these videos provide a deep dive into wh- question words and the specific rules for how much and how many.
The basic wh- question words
Using how much and how many
Master English question words and start a conversation
Learning how to use who, what, where, when, why, and how is more than just a grammar exercise—it is the key to connecting with people in the real world. While the rules for interrogative words might seem tricky at first, especially when deciding between “which” and “what” or mastering “how much” versus “how many,” practice is the only way to achieve fluency.
By using the tables and practice quiz above, you are already well on your way to sounding like a native speaker.
Join the discussion: What is your hardest question?
We want to hear from you! Even for advanced learners, some English questions can be confusing.
- Which wh-word do you find the most difficult to use?
- Do you have a “trick” for remembering the difference between who and whom?
- Is there a specific question you’ve heard in a movie or book that didn’t make sense?
Drop a comment below with your questions or your own tips for learning English. Our community and team are here to help you clear up any confusion and improve your skills. Let’s keep the conversation going!
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