Different Types of Sentences

What is an interrogative sentence?

An interrogative sentence is a type of sentence that asks question. It usually begins with who, what, where, when, why, how, or do and ends with a question mark.

Examples:

There are four types of interrogative sentences. They are:

Questions which require a “yes” or “no” answer, are called Yes/No Interrogatives.

Examples:

The answer to each of the above question will be either a “yes” or “no”

Yes/No Interrogatives are formed with the help of auxiliary verbs. The typical form of such question is:

Auxiliary verb (be, do or have) + subject + main verb or

modal verb + subject + main verb

The auxiliary verbs are inverted with the subject (subject – verb inversion)

For example:

When there is more than one auxiliary verb or model verb in the sentence, only one auxiliary verb or model should be put before the subject.

For example:

Alternative Interrogatives are questions that give a choice among two or more answers. Therefore, these questions are also called choice questions.

For example:

Alternative Interrogatives are also formed with the help of auxiliary verbs. The form of such a question is:

Auxiliary verb (be, do or have) + subject + main verb or

Modal verb + subject + main verb.

The auxiliary verbs are inverted with the subject (subject-verb inversion)

In the alternative question to be formed, if the main verb is “be”, additional auxiliary verb need not be used.

For example:

Wh- Interrogatives are questions asked using one of the question words, who, what, where, when, why, and how. Auxiliary verbs also must be used in these types of questions.

For example:

When you use the ‘wh’ and ‘how’ question words, the questions demand full sentence answers.

For example:

Q. Where are you going?

Ans. I am going to the mall.

Q. How are you doing?

Ans. ‘I am doing great.’

Q. Why did you do that?

Ans: ‘Because I wanted to.’

Although in the above examples, the answers are given in single sentences, depending upon the situation, the answer may require long explanation.

Tag questions are questions formed by attaching question tags onto the end of a declarative sentence. The tags are usually made using an auxiliary verb inverted with subject. These question tags change the declarative sentences to interrogative sentences.

Examples:

Sometimes a declarative sentence can be used as interrogative sentence by putting a question mark at the end of the sentence. When you ask questions like this orally, the last syllable of the sentence should be given proper intonation to make the listener understand that a question is being asked to him.

Indirect questions/Embedded questions

Indirect questions are questions embedded in a statement.

For example:

A question, “Where are you staying?”, is embedded in the given statement. But it should be clearly understood that an interrogative sentence always asks direct questions. Indirect questions/ embedded questions do not come under the category of “Interrogative sentences”.