INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE

INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE

Definition: An interrogative sentence is a type of sentence which usually asks a question and uses a question mark (?). They may ask for information or for confirmation or denial of a statement. They typically begin with a question word such as what, who, or how, or an auxiliary verb such as do/does, can or would.

For example:

• Do you speak French?
• Will you go to the supermarket for me?
• How can I do that?

Types
There are four types of interrogative sentences.

Yes/No Interrogatives
Yes/No questions usually will be answered by yes or no.

For example:

• Will you bring your book?
  * => Answer: Yes or No)
• Did she pass the test?
  * => Answer: Yes or No)

Alternative Interrogatives
Alternative interrogatives offer two or more alternative responses:

For example:

• Should I telephone you or send an email?
• Do you want bear, wine, or whisky?

Yes/no interrogatives and alternative interrogatives are introduced by an auxiliary verb.

Wh- Interrogatives
Wh- Interrogatives are introduced by a wh- word, and they elicit an open-ended response:

For example:

• What happened?
• Where do you work?
• Who won the Cup Final in 1997?

Tag Questions
they are sometimes tagged onto the end of a declarative sentence.

For example:

• David plays the piano, doesn't he?
• We've forgotten the milk, haven't we?
• There's a big match tonight, isn't there?

Notes:
Be careful to distinguish between direct and indirect questions. Direct questions normally use inverted word order (verb before subject) and end with a question mark. Indirect questions normally do not use inverted word order and do not end with a question mark.

For example:

• When was Lester Pearson prime minister?
  => Direct/Interrogative.
• I wonder when Lester Pearson was prime minister.
  => Indirect/Declarative.