Have you ever wanted to know something right away, like the name of a new friend, where your shoe went, or why it is raining? We ask questions all day long. Question words are special words that help us ask for information about people, things, places, times, reasons, and ways.
Question words are words we use when we want information. They often come at the beginning of a question. When we write a question, we put a question mark at the end.
Question words are words that help us ask for information. Common question words are who, what, where, when, why, and how.
A question can be spoken or written. When we speak, our voice often sounds a little different at the end. When we write, the question mark shows that we are asking, not telling.
Who asks about a person or people. We use who when we want to know which person.
Examples: Who is your teacher? Who is at the door? Who has the red ball?
If a child says, "My friend is here," you can ask, "Who is your friend?" The answer will be a person's name, like "Mia" or "Jay."
Example: using who
Sentence: "Someone is singing."
Step 1: Think about what you want to know.
You want to know the person.
Step 2: Choose the right question word.
Use who.
Step 3: Ask the question.
Who is singing?
Who is for people, not places and not things.
What asks about a thing, an action, or an idea. We use what when we want to know which thing or what is happening.
Examples: What is in the box? What are you drawing? What is your favorite color?
If you see a covered plate, you might ask, "What is for lunch?" The answer may be "sandwiches" or "apple slices."
What is a very useful question word because we can ask many kinds of questions with it.
Where asks about a place. We use where when we want to know which place.
Examples: Where is my backpack? Where does the bird live? Where are your crayons?
If a toy is missing, you can ask, "Where is the teddy bear?" The answer might be "on the bed" or "under the table."
Some of our most common questions at school and at home begin with where, because children are always moving, building, and putting things in new places.
Where helps us talk about places like home, school, the park, the shelf, or the garden.
When asks about time. We use when when we want to know what time or which day.
Examples: When is snack time? When do we go outside? When is your birthday?
The answer to a when question might be "now," "later," "in the morning," or "on Monday."
When is for time, not for people or places.
Why asks for a reason. We use why when we want to know the reason something happens.
Examples: Why is the baby crying? Why are you wearing boots? Why do plants need water?
If someone has an umbrella, you might ask, "Why do you have an umbrella?" The answer could be "Because it is raining."
Many answers to why begin with the word because.
Why and because work together. A why question asks for a reason, and the answer often begins with because. For example: "Why are you sleepy?" "Because I woke up early."
Asking why helps us learn how the world works.
How asks about the way something happens, the way something feels, or the condition of something. We use how when we want to know in what way.
Examples: How do you tie your shoes? How are you today? How does the dog get inside?
The answer to a how question might tell steps, feelings, or a manner. "How do you paint a star?" might be answered with simple steps. "How are you?" might be answered with "happy" or "tired."
Sometimes how can be used in longer questions too, such as "How old are you?" or "How big is the pumpkin?"
To make a good question, first think about what you want to know. Then choose the right question word. If you want a person, use who. If you want a thing, use what. If you want a place, use where. If you want a time, use when. If you want a reason, use why. If you want a way, feeling, or condition, use how.
Remember that a sentence tells something, but a question asks something. A written question ends with a question mark.
Listen to how these are different: "The cat is sleeping." That is a telling sentence. "Where is the cat sleeping?" That is a question. "Sam is laughing." That is a telling sentence. "Why is Sam laughing?" That is a question.
It is also important to use standard English when speaking and writing. We say, "Where is my hat?" instead of words in the wrong order. Putting words in the right order helps others understand us.
Here is a simple guide:
| Question word | What it asks about | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Who | a person | Who is calling? |
| What | a thing or action | What is that? |
| Where | a place | Where is my book? |
| When | a time | When do we eat? |
| Why | a reason | Why are you smiling? |
| How | a way or feeling | How do you jump? |
Table 1. Common question words, what they ask about, and one example for each.
These words help us in conversations, stories, and writing. They help us learn more, explain our thinking, and understand others better.
