Interrogative Sentences

Among the four main types of sentences in English, interrogative sentences are used when we want to ask a question or gather information. These sentences help us seek answers, clarify doubts, or confirm facts in everyday communication. For example, we often ask questions like “What is your name?” or “Are you coming to the party?” both of which are interrogative sentences.

In this lesson, you will learn the meaning and definition of interrogative sentences, their types and structure, and how to use them correctly in spoken and written English. Clear examples and exercises are also included to help you understand how to form and identify interrogative sentences with ease.

Table of Contents

• What are Interrogative Sentences?
• Types of Interrogative Sentences with Examples
• What are 20 Examples of Interrogative Sentences?
• How to Form Interrogative Sentences
• Common Uses of Interrogative Sentences
• Interrogative Sentences Exercises
• Frequently Asked Questions on Interrogative Sentences

What are Interrogative Sentences?

Interrogative sentences, simply put, are questions. They’re sentences that seek to gather information, clarify a point, or start a conversation.

They often start with a question word like who, what, where, when, why, or how. Alternatively, they can begin with a helping verb for yes/no questions. Regardless of their form, all interrogative sentences share a common trait: They end with a question mark.

Types of Interrogative Sentences with Examples

Interrogative sentences, normally used to ask someone about something, can be categorised into three different types namely,

• Choice Questions

• Yes/No Questions

• Questions with ‘Wh’ Words

Now, let us look at each type of interrogative sentence in detail.

Choice Questions

This type of interrogative sentences can be used to find out about someone’s choice about their likes, dislikes and preferences.

Example:

• Do you prefer coffee or tea along with breakfast?

• What would you choose?

• Do you like reading books or watching movies?

Yes/No Questions

This type of interrogative sentence, as the name suggests, only gets a yes or a no for an answer.

For example:

• Will you come to the library with me?

• Do you like ice cream?

• Do you know the answer to this question?

Questions with ‘Wh’ Words

These types of interrogative sentences are used when you want to gather more information rather than just a yes or a no. These sentences begin with ‘Wh’ words like what, where, when, why, whom, which, whose and how.

Example:

• What is your name?

• Why are you late?

• Where are you from?

• When can you come?

• Whose book is this?

• Whom did you meet?

• Which book is it?

• How will you do it?

Take a look at the following examples of interrogative sentences to understand how they are used in different contexts.

What are 20 Examples of Interrogative Sentences?

Asking a Direct Question

1. How are you preparing for the examination?

2. What time does the train leave?

3. Where did you keep my notebook?

4. Why is the meeting scheduled so late?

5. Who is your favorite author?
   

Requesting Clarification

1. What do you mean by “flexible work hours”?

2. Could you explain what this symbol stands for?

3. When you say “final submission,” do you mean today or tomorrow?

4. Are you sure this is the correct way to solve the problem?

5. So, is it necessary for everyone to attend the workshop?
   
   

Confirming Something

1. Didn’t you complete the assignment yesterday?

2. Are you the new coordinator for the event?

3. Haven’t we met before at the conference?

4. Could you please confirm if this file is updated?

5. Is this the room where the interview will be held?
   
   

Gathering Information

1. What subjects are included in the new syllabus?

2. Which route should we take to reach the museum?

3. Can you tell me where the seminar is happening?

4. What are the ingredients required for this recipe?

5. How many students are participating in the competition?

How to Form Interrogative Sentences

• For present simple: Do/Does + subject + base verb (“Do you play cricket?”)

• For past simple: Did + subject + base verb (“Did they arrive on time?”)

• For continuous tenses: Am/Is/Are/Was/Were + subject + -ing verb

• With modals: Modal (can/may/should etc.) + subject + base verb

• If using wh-words: Wh-word + auxiliary/modal + subject + main verb (“Where did you go?”)

• Always end with a question mark.

Common Uses of Interrogative Sentences

• Gathering information: “What is your name?”

• Seeking clarification: “Did you mean this answer?”

• Engaging in a conversation: “Where are you from?”

• Confirming or checking: “Are you coming today?”

• Offering choices: “Will you have juice or water?”

Interrogative Sentences Exercises

Check your understanding of interrogative sentences by changing the following declarative sentences into interrogative sentences.
Refer to the example given below for guidance.

Example:

Declarative: She plays the guitar.
Interrogative: Does she play the guitar?

Exercises

1. Riya is a good dancer.

2. They are watching a movie.

3. Sam went to the market.

4. He can solve this problem easily.

5. The children were playing in the park.

6. John has completed his assignment.

7. Meena will join the meeting tomorrow.

8. It is raining heavily outside.

9. You like ice cream.

10. The teacher explained the lesson clearly.

Answers

1. Is Riya a good dancer?

2. Are they watching a movie?

3. Did Sam go to the market?

4. Can he solve this problem easily?

5. Were the children playing in the park?

6. Has John completed his assignment?

7. Will Meena join the meeting tomorrow?

8. Is it raining heavily outside?

9. Do you like ice cream?

10. Did the teacher explain the lesson clearly?

Frequently Asked Questions on Interrogative Sentences?

Q1. What is an interrogative sentence with an example​?

Answer: An interrogative sentence is a type of sentence that asks a direct question and ends with a question mark. These sentences are used to request information and can begin with a question word (who, what, where, when, why) or a helping verb (do, does, is, are, can, will). For example, "What is your name?" and "Are you coming with us?" are both interrogative sentences.

Q2. How to make interrogative sentences​?

Answer: To make an interrogative sentence, you typically put the helping verb (or modal verb) or a "wh-" question word at the beginning, followed by the subject and then the main verb. The sentence must end with a question mark. For simple present and past tenses without a helping verb, add "do," "does," or "did" at the start. 

Q3. How to change an interrogative sentence into passive voice​?

Answer: To change an interrogative sentence to the passive voice, identify the active sentence's object and make it the subject of the passive sentence, then use a form of "to be" + the past participle of the main verb. Maintain the interrogative structure by placing the helping verb before the new subject, and if necessary, add "by" + the original subject at the end.