General questions in English examples. Common question in English

"Were you at work today? Have you fed the cat? May I take your pen? She is a student?" - every day we ask hundreds of such questions to our friends, colleagues and family members.

AT English language these questions are called general questions, because with the help of them we learn general information about a person/thing. I will tell you how to properly construct such questions so that you yourself can learn how to ask them.

In the article you will learn:

• What are general questions

What are common questions in English?

General question asked for general information. Hence the name itself - general".

For example: Are you going to the cinema?
(We do not specify when and where, we will find out general information)

Such a question requires an answer Yes" or " No". Therefore, sometimes such a question is called not a general question, but a yes / no question.

Attention: Confused in English rules? Find out how easy it is to understand English grammar.

How to ask a general question in English?

Let's look at three options for the formation of a general question.

1. Forming a general question using auxiliary verbs

Auxiliary verbs are words that are not translated, but only act as pointers. They help us determine:

• Time of what is happening (present, future, past);
• Number of actors (many or one).

Read more about auxiliary verbs in this article.

Each tense in English has its own auxiliary verb (do/does, have/has, did, had, will). Let's look at the auxiliary verbs of the three most used tenses.

1. Present simple tense ( present simple Tense):

• does when we talk about someone in singular(he she it)
• do, for all other cases (I, you, we, they)

2. Past simple tense (Past Simple Tense): did

3. Future Simple Tense: will

To form a question, we put the auxiliary verb first in the sentence.

The scheme for the formation of a general question will be as follows:

Auxiliary verb + actor+ action being taken

For example, we have affirmative sentences:

They go to school.
They go to school.

They went to school.
They went to school.

They will go to school.
They will go to school.

To ask a question, we put the auxiliary verbs do, did, will in the first place:

Do they go to school?
They go to school?

Did they go to school?
Did they go to school?

Will they go to school?
Will they go to school?

Let's look at a few more examples.

You can learn more about the formation of questions during the times of the Simple group here:

2. Formation of a general question in sentences with the verb to be

Also in English there is special kind verb - verb to be. We use it when we say that someone:

• Is somewhere (He's in the park)
• Is someone (She's a nurse)
• Is somehow (Grey cat)

Depending on the time in which we use this verb, it changes its form:

• Present tense - am, are, is
• Past tense - was, were
• In the future tense - will be

If the sentence contains the verb to be, then the general question is built according to the following scheme:

Verb to be + character + place / state / phenomenon

To ask a question, we need to put in a sentence verb to be first. For example, we have affirmative sentences:

He is a doctor.
He's a doctor.

He was a doctor.
He was a doctor.

He will be a doctor.
He will be a doctor.

They were doctors.
They were doctors.

We move is, was, will to the first place and get the question:

Is he a doctor?
He's a doctor?

was he a doctor?
Was he a doctor?

Will he be a doctor?
Will he be a doctor?

Were they doctors?
Were they doctors?

Here are some more examples:

Read more about the verb to be in each tense in the following articles:

3. Formation of a general question with modal verbs

There are verbs in English that do not indicate an action (go, read, study), but show an attitude towards these actions (I must go, I can read, I should study):

• can/could - I can
• must - must
• may/might - I can
• should - follows, etc.

Sentences containing words like thisdo not require an auxiliary verb(do/does, did, will, etc.). To form a questionwe just transfer modal verb first in the offer.

The question formation scheme will be as follows:

Modal verb + actor + action being performed

For example, take the affirmative sentence :

When asked can, should, may transferin first place:

Here are some more examples.

You can read more about modal verbs in this article:

Answers to common questions in English

The answer to a general question might be:

• positive (yes)
• negative (no)

It can also be:

• complete
• short

short positive The response is structured as follows:

Yes + actor + auxiliary verb/modal verb/verb to be

Suggestion examples:

Did he wash his car? Yes, he did.
Did he wash his car? Yes.

Does she like sweets? Yes, she does.
Does she like sweets? Yes.

Is she's a doctor? Yes, she is.
She is a doctor? Yes.

Can you open a window? Yes, I can.
Can you open the window? Yes.

At negative short answer the particle not is added to auxiliary verbs. The construction scheme will be as follows:

No + character + auxiliary verb/modal verb/verb to be + not

Did he wash his car? No, he did not.

Did he wash his car? No.

Does she like sweets? No, she does not.
Does she like sweets? Yes.

Is she's a doctor? No, she is not.
She is a doctor? No.

Can you open a window? no, I can't.
Can you open the window? No.

Full positive response looks like an affirmative sentence, only at the beginning of the sentence we put yes:

Did he wash his car? Yes, he washed his car.
Did he wash his car? Yes, he washed the car.

Does she like sweets? Yes, she likes sweets.
Does she like sweets? Yes, she loves sweets.

Is she's a doctor? Yes, she is a doctor.
She is a doctor? Yes, she is a doctor.

Can you open a window? Yes, I can open a window.
Can you open the window? Yes, I can open the window.

Full negative answer looks like negative sentence, only at the beginning of the sentence we put no:

Did he wash his car? No, he didn't wash his car.
Did he wash his car? No, he didn't wash the car.

Does she like sweets? No, she doesn't like sweets.
Does she like sweets? No, she doesn't like sweets.

Is she's a doctor? No, she is not a doctor.
She is a doctor? No, she's not a doctor.

Can you open a window? no, I can't open a window.
Can you open the window? No, I can't open the window.

So, we have analyzed the whole theory concerning general issues. Now let's move on to practice.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following questions into English:

1. Did you go to school?
2. Is she in the park?
3. Can you turn off the music?
4. Are they smart?
5. Does she like roses?
6. Should I call him?
7. Should she do it?
8. Will we help him?

Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

There are several types of interrogative sentences in English. Distinguish dividing, alternative, special, general questions. All types of questions have their own characteristics and rules of compilation. A general question in English is usually learned to ask first.

What is a general question?

General questions in English are formed on the basis of the affirmative form of the sentence. Such a question requires an affirmative or negative answer. Asking such a question, no additional information the interlocutor does not ask. It only requires confirmation or refutation of what was heard.

Have you made your notes yet? - Yes, I have (No, I have not). (Have you made your notes yet? - Yes. (No.))

How to ask a general question in English?

The first word in a general question is always an auxiliary verb. Every English tense has its own auxiliary verb. One of their functions in the sentence is participation in the preparation of interrogative sentences. The auxiliary verb is followed by the subject (noun or pronoun) and the predicate (semantic verb). If the sentence is widespread, other members of the sentence may be behind the basis of the sentence, necessary for the meaning.

Do they fix their car every two weeks? (Do they fix their car every two weeks?)

The only exception to this scheme is sentences with the verb to be as a predicate in Present (Past) Simple tenses. One of the features of the verb to be in these forms is the "rejection" of any auxiliary verbs. The verb to be itself acts as an auxiliary in such cases. In general questions, for example, he himself takes first place before the subject, leaving his rightful place as a predicate. Compare:

Statement

The hats are too expensive to buy them now. - These hats are too expensive to buy now.

General question

Are the hats too expensive to buy them now. - Are these hats too expensive to buy now?

How to answer a general question.

As already mentioned, it is often enough to answer a general question simply “yes” or “no”. Moreover, confirmation of information is often brief than its denial. And this is quite logical. Indeed, after the answer “no”, as a rule, correct, correct information is expected.

Are these toy soldiers made of metal? (Are these toy soldiers made of metal?)

Yes, they are. (Yes.)

No, they aren't. They are made of plastic. (No. They are made of plastic.)

In the process of studying the answers to general questions of the English language, it turns out that the "short answers" in English are actually not so "short". Of course, in fluent colloquial speech, you can limit yourself, as in Russian, to the words “yes” (yes) or “no” (no). But as soon as the conversation takes a slightly more formal character, this answer will have to be expanded a little.

A short affirmative English answer to a general question consists of:

• "yes"
• comma after it
• auxiliary verb (most often it is the same as in the question).

Translating this whole construction, it is enough to confine ourselves to one word “yes”.

Is it starting to snow outdoors? - Yes, it is. (Does it snow outside? - Yes.)

A short negative English answer to a general question consists of:

• "No"
• comma after it
• pronoun corresponding to the subject,
• auxiliary verb (most often it is the same as in the question),
• negative particle "not".

In a negative answer, both full and abbreviated negative forms of verbs can be used. A simple “no” also serves as a translation.

Did Robin live there? - No, he did not (No, he didn "t.) (Robin lived there? - No.)

Features of a general question in Present Simple

It is worth paying special attention to how a general question is built in Present Simple. The point here is two variants of the auxiliary verb "do". Depending on the form of the subject, when composing a general question, you need to choose “do” or “does”. In order to understand where the form "does" came from, let's return to the affirmative sentences of this time.

Lima's parents keep old things in the garage. - Lima's parents keep old things in the garage.

Lima keeps her word. - Lima keeps his word.

(e)s is added to the verb used as a predicate in the third person singular. When composing a general question, this ending is transferred from the main verb to the auxiliary. For comparison, we give two examples of how to compose general questions in English in different faces of Present Simple tense.

Lima's parents keep old things in the garage. - Do Lima's parents keep old things in the garage?

Lima keeps her word. - Does Lima keep_ her word?

When does an answer need an auxiliary verb not from the question?

We now know that in short answers to a general question, just as in a general question, we need an auxiliary verb. In most cases, it is the same as the one used in the question. But there are cases when in the answer the meaning requires changing the subject, and hence the auxiliary verb.

This usually happens when the question is asked in the second person (subject you (you)), and you need to answer the meaning in the first person (I (I)); in tenses and forms using the verb to be as an auxiliary.

Are you leaving for New York tonight? - Yes, I am. (Are you leaving for New York today? - Yes.)

Were you deceived by your friends? - No, I wasn't. (Did your friends deceive you? - No.)

The general question in English, the examples of which we have considered, is quite simple to compose. But in order to do this accurately, you need to have a good knowledge of the system of tenses (and, therefore, auxiliary verbs) of the English language.

There are 5 main types of questions in English. The most common are general and special questions in English. This article will be devoted to general issues and the rules for their preparation.

What is a general question in English? General Question - a general question is a question, the answer to which will be its confirmation or denial. Such questions are also called yes / no questions - yes / no questions, since the answer to them will be “yes” or “no”.

Rules for the formation of general questions

1. General question and auxiliary verbs

Auxiliary verbs are not translated, but only help to determine the time and number of characters. Each tense has its own auxiliary verb.

• Present tense () - does in the singular (he, she) and do in the plural (I, we, you, they)
• Past tense (Past Simple) – did
• Future tense (Future Simple) – will

To correctly ask a question, it is necessary to put the auxiliary verb first, then the subject and at the end the main verb and other members of the sentence.

Sample questions:

Do you go to the cinema every week? Do you go to the cinema every week?

Does he work at the factory? - He works at the factory?

Did she live in Kyiv? - She lived in Kyiv?

Will we go to the zoo? Are we going to the zoo?

2. General questions and the verb to be

The verb to be is used when we want to say that someone is somewhere, is or describes someone. Each tense also has its own form of the verb:

• Present tense (Present Simple) - am, are, is;
• Past tense (Past Simple) - was, were;
• Future tense (Future Simple) - will be.

The word order in this question is as follows:

The verb to be is put in the first place, then the protagonist (subject) and minor members suggestions.

For example, if the sentence She is an artist - She is an artist, to ask a question, we put the word is in first place:

Is she an artist? - Is she an artist?

If we consider questions in other tenses, we get:

We were at the theatre. - We were in the theatre.

Were we at the theatre? - Have we been to the theatre?

She will go to school soon. She will go to school soon.

Will she go to school soon? Will she go to school soon?

This room is a very small. - This room is very small.

Is this room a very small? - Is this room very small?

3. General question and modal verb

In English, modal verbs are verbs that do not reflect a specific action or state, but only show an attitude towards them. Modal verbs: could(I can), should (should), must (should), etc.

If a modal verb is used, then the auxiliary verb is no longer used. Thus, in a question, the first is the modal verb, then the character, and then the action.

You can open the window. - You can open the window.

Can you open the window? – Can you open the window?

I may take a dinner. - I can have lunch.

May I take a dinner? – May I have lunch?

4. verb have to in general matters

Although the verb have to refers to modal verbs, we use it with auxiliary verbs.

I have to be at this lesson. - I have to be in this class.

Do I have to be at this lesson? Should I be in this class?

We have to come there at three o'clock. We must arrive there at three o'clock.

Do we have to come there at three o'clock? - We have to arrive there at three o'clock?

What is the answer to a common question in English

Among the answers to general questions in English, two types can be distinguished: positive and negative. Also, answers can be short and detailed, or contain additional words.

In the case of a short answer, the word yes / no is used - yes / no, subject, auxiliary verb or modal. For example,

Can I take this book? – Yes, you can. May I borrow this book? - Yes you can.

Do you like milk? - No, I don't. Do you like milk? - Not.

In the case of a complete answer, the auxiliary verb and all parts of the sentence related to it are used.

Did you see this film? – Yes, I saw this film. (No, I didn't see this film.)

Have you seen this movie? Yes, I have seen this movie. (No, I haven't seen this movie.)

Full answers in a conversation are used quite rarely.

General questions and negative form

The negative form is formed with the particle not, which is used before the verb. As a rule, not is combined with a verb and the abbreviated form - n't is used.

For example, Doesn't he go home? - Isn't he going home?

General negative questions are used in such cases:

Astonishment

Haven't you met your sister at the park? - Didn't you meet your sister in the park?

To obtain consent from the interlocutor

Didn't you like this book? Didn't you like this book?

Why? I liked it. - Why? I liked it.

Delight

Isn't that picture perfect? ​​- Isn't this picture perfect?

Irritation or dissatisfaction

Can't you stop screaming? Can't you stop screaming?

General questions are the most common and important. By learning how to write them correctly, you will also quickly learn how to form other types of questions (special, alternative or disjunctive). To practice this more, you can try to compose questions by doing exercises that can be found on various resources online. And if you want to study not only English grammar, but also to improve spoken English, come to English courses in Kyiv at the English Prime school.

As you know, a question is a request for information or an action. Every day we ask ourselves and others many different types of questions (Who am I? Why did I come into this world? Who is the cutest in the world? How to learn English in a month? ..). The questions are different, but formally they are united by one common feature(or rather, a sign): at the end of each interrogative sentence there is always a question mark.

So, let's see what types of questions are in English.

Closed questions

Closed questions are those types of questions that require a yes/no, true/false answer.

Auxiliary verbs are used for this type of questions in English ( do/does, am/is/are, have/has). The auxiliary verb is placed at the beginning of the sentence. Thus, the predicate and the subject are reversed.

Formation of questions in Present Continuous

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General rule building questions in English is as follows:

All questions (except special questions to the subject of the sentence) are built by inversion.

Inversion called a violation of the usual word order in English sentence when the predicate follows the subject. Strictly speaking, only partial inversion takes place here, when only part of the predicate - an auxiliary or modal verb - is placed before the subject of the sentence.

In cases where the predicate of the sentence is formed without auxiliary verbs (in present and Past Indefinite) an auxiliary verb is used to do in the required form - do/does/did.

1. General Questions is given in order to obtain confirmation or denial of the thought expressed in the question. A general question is usually given a short answer: " Yes " or " No ".

To build a general question auxiliary or modal the verb that is part of the predicate is put at the beginning of a sentence before the subject.

a) When the predicate includes two or three auxiliary verbs, then only the first of them is placed before the subject. The predicate is thus divided into two parts, separated from one another by the subject.

b) If the predicate contains no auxiliary verbs at all (Present and Past Indefinite), then an auxiliary verb appears in the question do/does(in Present) or did(in Past)

Are you a nurse? - Yes, I am.

Have you seen the film? - No, I-haven "t.

Will you go to the cinema at 5 p.m.? Will you come to the cinema at 5 o'clock?

Have you ever been to Turkey? – Have you ever been to Turkey?

Did the II World War begin in 1941?- Second World War started in 1941?

2. Special Questions begin with question word and is set in order to obtain more detailed clarifying information. The interrogative word in a special question replaces the member of the sentence to which the question is posed. Special questions can begin with the words:

who? – who?

whom? – whom?

whose? - whose?

what? – what? which?

which? – which?

when? – when?

where? – where? where?

why? – why?

how? – as?

How much? – how many?

How many? – how many?

how long? – how long? what time is it?

how often? – how often?

Building special questions:

1) Special questions to all members of the sentence, except for the subject (and its definitions) are built in the same way as general questions - by inversion, when an auxiliary or modal verb is placed before the subject.

2) Special questions to the subject or to the definition of the subject - the only type of questions in which inversion does not occur and the direct word order characteristic of a declarative sentence is observed.

A special question (except for a question to the subject) begins with an interrogative word or group of words followed by an auxiliary or modal verb, a subject and a semantic verb (the structure of the general question is preserved).

Scheme of a special question:

A special question is built in the same way as a general question: the first auxiliary verb or modal verb is placed before the subject, in present and Past Indefinite(where there is no auxiliary verb) the auxiliary verb is used to do (do, did, did), and the semantic verb is put in the infinitive without to(dictionary form). Verbs to be and to have(in the role of a semantic verb) do not require an auxiliary verb to do, (they themselves are placed before the subject).

Special question can be asked to any member of the proposal: addition, circumstance, definition, predicate; subject

What's your name? - My name is Pete.

Where are you going? - To the park.

When did you get up yesterday? – At half past seven.

In a question to the subject, the order of the words is direct. We just remove the subject and use a suitable interrogative word instead: Who? What? (who what). Neither in the present nor in the past tense does this type of question in English need the use of auxiliary verbs.

What happened to us? - What happened to us? What makes you feel upset? - What makes you sad? Who invites guests for the party? Who invites guests to the party

3. Alternative question (Alternative Questions) is given when it is proposed to make a choice, to give preference to something. An alternative question may begin with an auxiliary or modal verb (as a general question) or with an interrogative word (as a special question) and must necessarily contain a conjunction or[L]- or. Part of the question before the union or pronounced with rising intonation, after the union or- with a lower voice at the end of the sentence.

Is he reading or is he writing? Does he read or does he write?

Did he pass the exam or did he fail? Did he pass the exam or fail?

4. Dividing ("Tail" Questions) The question consists of two parts: narrative and interrogative.

The first part is a declarative affirmative or negative sentence in direct word order.

The second part, separated by a comma, is a short general question consisting of a pronoun that replaces the subject and an auxiliary or modal verb. The auxiliary or modal verb that is part of the predicate of the first part is repeated. And in present and Past Indefinite where there is no auxiliary verb, the corresponding forms are used do/ did/did.

The second part uses reverse order words, and it can be translated into Russian: isn't it?, isn't it?, isn't it?

1. If the first part of the question is affirmative, then the verb in the second part is in the negative form, for example:

You speak French, don't you? You speak French, don't you?

You are looking for something, aren't you? You are looking for something, aren't you?

Pete works at a plant, doesn't he?Pete works in a factory, doesn't he?

I can go now, can't I? I can go now, can't I?

Note. Verb to be in the 1st person sg. numbers ( am), in the event that the interrogative part of the sentence is negative, has the form aren't, (as Am not I and Am I not practically not used) for example:

But if the second part of the question is positive, then:

2 If the first part is negative, then the second part uses the affirmative form, for example:

It is not very warm today it? It's not very warm today, is it?

John doesn't live in London, does he? John doesn't live in London, right?

You friend can't speak English, can he? Your friend doesn't speak English, does he?

EXERCISES

exercise1. Put the words in correct order to make affirmative or interrogative sentences.

1. family the my in I only am child.

2. are you where from.

3. friend computer my games is now playing.

4. his parents have just arrived in Moscow.

5. America have been to I never.

6. aunt me gave my a present birthday.

7. school there language is a laboratory in our.

8. museums there a lot are Moscow of in.