Question forms
Definition
English questions often place an auxiliary verb before the subject. When no other auxiliary is present in the present or past simple, do, does or did supplies the question form.
Examples
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Where do you work?
The present simple uses do + subject + base verb.
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Has Mina finished the report?
The existing auxiliary has moves before the subject.
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Can they join us later?
A modal verb moves before the subject.
Direct vs. indirect question order
Where does he live?
The auxiliary comes before the subject.
Do you know where he lives?
The embedded question uses statement order.
In a direct question, the auxiliary normally precedes the subject. Inside an indirect question, subject–verb order is used.
Subject questions do not use do-support
When the question word itself is the subject, the sentence normally keeps ordinary statement order and does not add do, does or did.
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Who called you last night?
Who is the subject of called.
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What happened after the meeting?
What is the subject of happened.
Common mistakes
Where you live?
Where do you live?
A present-simple object question needs do-support.
Do you know where does she work?
Do you know where she works?
An indirect question uses statement word order.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which direct question is formed correctly?
The past-simple question uses did + subject + base verb.Which indirect question has correct word order?
The embedded clause uses statement order: where the station is.Which subject question is correct?
Because who is the subject, ordinary statement order is used without do-support.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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