Interrogative Sentence

What Is an Interrogative Sentence?

An interrogative sentence is a sentence that asks a direct question and always ends in a question mark. An interrogative sentence is used to obtain information or clarification.

Examples of Interrogative Sentences

Here are some examples of interrogative sentences:

• Has anyone seen my torch?
• What's the capital of Peru?
• Shall we ask Simon or Jonesy?

The Three Types of Interrogative Sentence

There are three types of interrogative sentence, i.e., question:

(1) Yes/No Question

Q: Is it raining?
A: No.
(The answer to a yes/no question will be yes or no.)

(2) "Question Word" Question

Q: Why are you bored?
A: I've seen this film before.
(The answer to a "question word" question will be information.)

(3) Choice Question

Q: Do you want salsa dip or cheese dip?
A: Answer: Salsa dip
(The answer to a choice question will be in the question.)

Real-Life Examples of Interrogative Sentences

• Is it possible to succeed without any act of betrayal? (Film director Jean Renoir)
(This is a yes/no question, i.e., the answer is yes or no.)
• Why do I crave everything when I'm dieting? (Reality star Kim Kardashian)
(This is a question-word question, the answer to which is information.)
• Do you want to feel good or to do good? (Singer Ted Nugent)
(This is a choice question, the answer to which is in the question.)

Forming the Three Question Types

Forming Yes/No Questions

Yes/no questions are formed: Here are some examples of yes/no questions:

Auxiliary Verb	Subject	Main Verb	Remainder	Possible Answer
Can	tigers	swim?		Yes, they can.
Has	the crocodile	returned	to the water?	No, it hasn't.

With the verb "to be" in the present tense or the past tense, the format is as follows:

Verb To Be	Subject	Remainder	Possible Answer
Are	you	angry?	Yes, I am.
Was	she	in attendance?	No, she wasn't.

Forming "Question Word" Questions

"Question word" questions are formed: Here are some examples of "question word" questions:

Question Word	Auxiliary Verb	Subject	Main Verb	Remainder	Possible Answer
Where	did	the train	stop?		Boston.
Why	was	the policeman	waving	the flag?	To stop the traffic.

When the question word is "who," the format is:

Question Word (and Subject)	Main Verb	Remainder	Possible Answer
Who	knows	when the train arrives?	He does.
Who	has been polishing	these helmets?	Lee.

When using the verb "to be" in the present or past tense, the format is as follows:

Question Word	Verb To Be	Subject	Remainder	Possible Answer
When	is	Easter Sunday?		Before Easter Monday.
Why	are	you	leaving?	No reason.

Forming Choice Questions

Choice questions are formed: Here are some examples of choice questions:

Auxiliary Verb	Subject	Main Verb	Choice 1	or	Choice 2	Possible Answer
Does	she	want	the pink one	or	the black one?	The black one.
Did	Lee	catch	a whelk	or	a bass?	A whelk.

When using the verb "to be" in the present or past tense, the format is as follows:

Verb To Be	Subject	Choice 1	or	Choice 2	Possible Answer
Is	it	right	or	wrong?	It's right.
Were	you	disappointed	or	angry?	Disappointed.

Other Sentence Types

Interrogative sentences contrast with the following sentences:

• Declarative sentences, which make statements
• Imperative sentences, which give commands
• Exclamatory sentences, which express emotions

Read more about the other types of sentence.

Video Lesson

Here is a video summarizing this lesson on interrogative sentences. video lesson

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Why Interrogative Sentences Are Important

Interrogative sentences are important. They're the tool for getting the information we want. Interrogative sentences are not as common as declarative sentences (ones that make statements), but they are the next most common sentence type. So, if you're learning or teaching English, it's essential to understand how they are formed.

If you're a native English speaker, then interrogative sentences are unlikely to be responsible for any serious writing errors. Nevertheless, here are two good reasons to think a little more carefully about interrogative sentences.

(Reason 1) Don't use a question mark after a non-question. (Beware indirect questions!)

Interrogative sentences (i.e., questions) are not responsible for serious errors among native English speakers, who understand how to form the three question types. By far the biggest issue related to interrogative sentences is writers thinking a non-question is a question and using a question mark.

• I want to know if it's finished?
• I wonder if I'll ever find my torch?
(These are not questions but statements. They should end in periods (full stops).)

This error typically occurs when the statement contains an indirect question. An indirect question is a direct question embedded inside a statement or another question. Here, the embedded direct questions are "Is it finished?" and "Will I ever find my torch?". Read more about indirect questions.

(Reason 2) Use a rhetorical question to raise a subject.

Rhetorical questions (i.e., ones that are not expected to elicit an answer) can be used to make a point or to introduce a subject.

• When are you ever settled enough to have kids? (Actor Benedict Cumberbatch)
(This is a rhetorical question designed to make a point not to elicit an answer. It's an interesting way of saying "You are never settled enough to have kids.")
• Is the Loch Ness monster dead?
(This is a rhetorical question designed to introduce a subject. Often used as titles, rhetorical questions are designed to pique the audience's interest.)

Read more about rhetorical questions.

Key Points

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