The interrogative form in English
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The interrogative form
The construction of the interrogative form is different if the verb is an auxiliary verb (be, have, will, can, etc.), or a 'normal' verb.
• If the verb is an auxiliary verb, the interrogative is formed without the auxiliary do/does/did:
• If the verb is an auxiliary verb, the interrogative is formed without the auxiliary do/does/did:
Is Bruno in his office?
Can I talk to you?
Have you read this book?
• If the verb is 'normal', the interrogative is formed with the auxiliary do/does/did. As always after an auxiliary verb, the verb is added in the infinitive without to:
Do you like that album?
Did she see the movie?
Does Kevin drink alcohol?
In both cases, the sentence is formed by inverting the first auxiliary verb:
She's dreaming. -> Is she dreaming?
You would tell me. -> Would you tell me?
Note: The 'normal' verb to do is also conjugated with the auxiliary do/does/did:
Did you do it?
Does he do his homework on time?
• In the case of interrogatives introduced by pronouns (Who, What)
If the interrogative pronoun is a subject, there is no inversion:
If the interrogative pronoun is a subject, there is no inversion:
Who told you this?
Who is here?
If the interrogative pronoun is an object, there is inversion:
Who(m) are you talking to?
What did he say?
What are you thinking about?
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