This question starts with the question words. The interrogative word or question word refers to the function work that helps ask a question. There are 9 question words available in the English language and are known as wh-words because excluding “how”, all other question words start with wh-.

Question words

When, why, who. Which, what, where, whom, whose and how are called question words because they are mostly used to inquire about a query. These words can be an object, subject, adverbial or complement.

Questions that start with the word “who”

“Who “refers to a person, and because it is a pronoun, it doesn’t come before a noun. When “ who” is the object, we can instead use whom; however, the “who” question word is quite common in everyday conversation.

Examples:

• Who was the judge? (Subject)
• Who were you talking to? (object of the preposition)

Questions start with “where.

To get information regarding the location or position, we use the “where” as an adverbial that possibly is the object of a preposition. 

Examples

• Where should I deliver the birthday greeting? (position)
• Where does this pet come from? (Object of the preposition,)

Questions that begin with “when.”

“When” is used to determine the occasion, time, etc.

Examples:

• When will he reach the stadium?
• When did the chief guest arrive?

Questions starting with “why” and “why don’t”

“Why “is used to understand the reason or seek an explanation; however “, why don’t “is used to provide a recommendation.

Examples:

• Why are you feeling low?
• Why didn’t you come to play yesterday?

Questions were starting with “what.”

“What” is a pronoun, which can be a subject or object. We need to understand that there will be no inversion of the subject and verb when the question words are the subject.

Examples:

• What smells foul? (subject, no inversion)
• What train can you board? (determiner)
• What do you understand by learning? Pronoun, object, inversion)

Questions starting with “which.”

 “Which” can be used as a pronoun and determiner. 

Examples:

• Which colour do you like? (determiner)
• Which of these outdoors do you prefer to play?
• Which one is the most lovable cartoon character?

Questions that begin with “whose.”

“Whose” refers to the pronoun possessive form, i.e. “ who.”

Examples:

• Whose mobile phone is that?
• Whose house is more luxurious?

Questions that begin with “how.”

“How” is used to ask both direct and indirect direct questions to obtain valuable knowledge regarding the amount of distance for expressing the degree level.

Examples:

• How many students are there in this playing cricket team?
• How much money does John require a month?
• How was your day?