The interrogative form

The interrogative form is different if the verb is an ‘auxiliary’ verb (to be, to have, will, can, etc.), or a ‘normal’ (non-auxiliary) verb.

Interrogative of auxiliary verbs

• If the verb is an auxiliary verb, the interrogative is formed without the auxiliary do/does/did.

Example:

1. Are you Japanese?
2. Can I ask you a question?
3. Can I talk to you?
4. Have you read this book?

Interrogative of normal verbs (non-auxiliary verbs) 

• If the verb is ‘normal’, the interrogative is formed with the auxiliary do/does/did. As always after an auxiliary verb, the verb is added in the infinitive without to.

Example: 

1. Did she see the movie?
2. Do you speak English?
3. Does Rubina live in USA?
4. Do you like that album?
   

Inverting the auxiliary to form the interrogative

• The interrogative sentence is formed by inverting  (changing the position) the first auxiliary verb.

Example:

1. You would tell me. => Would you tell me?
2. You can swim. => Can you swim?
3. Fenil is lucky. => Is Fenil lucky?

Note: The ‘normal’ verb to do is also conjugated with the auxiliary do/does/did.

Example:

 1.  Does he do his homework on time?

– In the case of interrogatives introduced by pronouns (Who, What)

• If the interrogative pronoun is a subject, there is no inversion:

1. Who told you this?
2. Who is here?

• If the interrogative pronoun is an object, there is an inversion:

1. What did he say?
2. What are you thinking about?

Related Blog

What are interrogative adverbs?