UNIT 47 Questions (1)
A. We usually make questions by changing the word order: we put the auxiliary verb (AV) before the subject (S): S + AV AV + S
It is --- is it? Is it raining?
You can --- can you? When can you come and see us?
Tom has --- Has Tom? Where has Tom gone?
We make questions with the verb be in the same way:
they were --- were they? Were they surprised?
B. In simple present questions use do/does:
- Do you like music? (not like you)
- Do you have a light?
- Where does Jack live? (not where lives Jack)
In simple past questions use did:
- When did they get married? (not when got they)
- Why did Ann sell her car? (not why sold Ann
- Did you have a good time?
But be careful with who/what/which questions. If who/what/which is the subject of the sentence, do not use do/does/did. Compare:
who is the object who is the subject
Ann telephoned someone Someone telephoned Ann
Who did Ann telephone? Who telephoned Ann?
In these examples who/what/which is the subject
- Who wants something to eat? (not who does want)
- Who invented the steam engine? (not who did invent)
- What happened to you last night? (not what did happen)
- Which switch operates this machine? (not which switch does operate)
C. We use negative questions especially:
To show surprise:
- Didn't you hear the bell? I rang it four times.
In exclamations:
- Doesn't that dress look nice! (= that dress looks nice)
When we expect the listener to agree with us:
- ''Haven't we met somewhere before?" "Yes, I think we have."
Notice the meaning of yes and no in answers to negative questions:
Didn't Dave pass his exams? Yes. (=Yes, he passed them
No. (=No, he didn't pass them.)
Note the word order in negative questions with Why . . . ? :
- Why didn't you lock the door? (not why you didn't lock)
- Why don't we go out to eat? (not why we don't go)
- Why can't you help me? (not why you can't help me)
- Why wasn't Mary invited to the party? (not why Mary wasn't)
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