14. Various Structures: Questions (480-488)

Question 0

Do we normally place the auxiliary verb before or after the subject?

Answer 0

We normally place it before the subject.

Examples:

When [is Oliver] leaving?
[Have you] received my letter of June 17th?
Why [are you] laughing?
What [are all those people] looking at?
How much [does the room] cost?

Question 1

How many basic rules for question sentences does Swan delineate?

Answer 1

8

Question 2

If there is no auxiliary verb, what is used to form a question?

Answer 2

If there is no auxiliary verb, we use [do, does or did] to form a question.

[Do] you like Mozart?
What [does] ‘periphrastic’ mean?
[Did] you wash the car today?

Question 3

What are the auxiliary verbs that we don’t use with “do”?

Answer 3

We do not use “do” with other [auxiliary verbs] or with [be]

Examples:

[Can you] tell me the time?
[Have you] seen John?
[Are you] ready?

Question 4

What verb form do we use after “do”?

Answer 4

We use the [infinitive without ‘to’]

What does the boss [want]?
Did you [go] climbing last weekend?

Question 5

Is the main verb allowed to come before the subject in the question sentence?

Answer 5

No. Only the auxiliary verb goes before the subject.

Examples:

Is your mother [coming] tomorrow?
Is your daughter [having] a lesson today?
When [was] your reservation [made]?
Where are [the President and his family] staying?