9 Common WH-Questions in English (with Examples + Easy Tips!)
- Rose Sensei
- Nov 19
- 5 min read
What are WH-Questions?
WH-questions are questions that begin with words like who, what, where, when, why, how, and more. We use them to get information, not just a “yes” or “no” answer.
These questions usually start with a WH-word, followed by an auxiliary verb, then the subject and main verb.
1. WHO – to ask about a person
Use: To find out who did something or who someone is.
Examples:
Who is your best friend?
Who called you yesterday?
2. WHAT – to ask about things or actions
Use: To find out information about something.
Examples:
What are you eating?
What time does the movie start?
3. WHICH – to ask for a choice or option
Use: To choose from a limited set of options.
Examples:
Which dress do you like best?
Which bus goes to the airport?
📝 Tip:👉 Use “which” when the choices are known.
👉 Use “what” when the choices are open or unknown.
4. WHERE – to ask about a place
Use: To find out location or direction.
Examples:
Where do you live?
Where did you put my keys?
5. WHEN – to ask about time
Use: To find out the time or date something happens.
Examples:
When is your birthday?
When did you start learning English?
6. WHY – to ask about reason or cause
Use: To ask for an explanation.
Examples:
Why are you late?
Why did you choose that job?
7. HOW – to ask about manner, method, or condition
Use: To find out the way something happens.
Examples:
How are you today?
How do you make coffee?
8. WHOM – to ask about the object of a verb
Use: (More formal) To ask who receives an action.
Examples:
Whom did you invite to the party?
Whom are you talking to?
📝 Note: In everyday English, most people say “Who are you talking to?”
9. WHOSE – to ask about possession
Use: To find out who something belongs to.
Examples:
Whose bag is this?
Whose car did you borrow?
💡 Difference Between “How Often” and “When”
Expression | Meaning | Example | Expected Answer |
When | asks about a specific time | “When do you go jogging?” | “On Sundays.” / “At 7 a.m.” |
How often | asks about frequency (how many times) | “How often do you go jogging?” | “Twice a week.” / “Every day.” |
✅ Quick Tip:
Use “when” → for time.
Use “how often” → for frequency.
☕ Mini-Dialogue: A Morning at Bella’s Café
Scene: Mia and her friend Emma are having breakfast at their favourite café.
👩🦰 Mia: Hey, whose bag is that on the chair?
👩🦱 Emma: Oh, it’s Anna’s. She went to get coffee.
👩🦰 Mia: Who makes the best latte here?
👩🦱 Emma: Definitely Marco. He’s the new barista.
👩🦰 Mia: Nice! When did he start working here?
👩🦱 Emma: Last week. Why do you ask?
👩🦰 Mia: Because I’ve never seen him before. And how does he make that heart on the coffee?
👩🦱 Emma: He uses steamed milk—it looks so pretty, right?
👩🦰 Mia: Totally! Where does he learn that?
👩🦱 Emma: He studied in Italy!
👩🦰 Mia: Wow! Which coffee should I try next—cappuccino or mocha?
👩🦱 Emma: Mocha, for sure! And by the way, how often do you come here?
👩🦰 Mia: Almost every morning. It’s my happy place!
📘 Related Grammar Posts:
🧠 Comprehension Quiz: Bella’s Café Conversation
🔹 Part 1: Match the Questions with the Correct Answers
A. Questions
1️⃣ Whose bag is that on the chair?
2️⃣ Who makes the best latte here?
3️⃣ When did Marco start working here?
4️⃣ Why does Mia ask about Marco?
5️⃣ How does Marco make the heart on the coffee?
6️⃣ Where did he learn that skill?
7️⃣ Which coffee does Emma recommend?
8️⃣ How often does Mia come to the café?
B. Answers
a. Because she’s never seen him before.
b. Almost every morning.
c. Mocha.
d. Last week.
e. He uses steamed milk.
f. It’s Anna’s bag.
g. Marco, the new barista.
h. In Italy.
🔹 Part 2 🧋 Vocabulary Review – Café Words
Match the café word to its meaning:
Word | Meaning |
1️⃣ Barista | a. A type of coffee with chocolate and milk |
2️⃣ Latte | b. Someone who makes and serves coffee |
3️⃣ Steamed milk | c. Warm milk with froth made by steam |
4️⃣ Recommend | d. To say something is a good choice |
5️⃣ Study abroad | e. To learn in another country |
🔑Check your answers below ⬇️
✅ Answer Key
🔹 Part 1: Match the Questions with the Correct Answers
Question | Correct Answer |
1️⃣ Whose bag is that on the chair? | f. It’s Anna’s bag. |
2️⃣ Who makes the best latte here? | g. Marco, the new barista. |
3️⃣ When did Marco start working here? | d. Last week. |
4️⃣ Why does Mia ask about Marco? | a. Because she’s never seen him before. |
5️⃣ How does Marco make the heart on the coffee? | e. He uses steamed milk. |
6️⃣ Where did he learn that skill? | h. In Italy. |
7️⃣ Which coffee does Emma recommend? | c. Mocha. |
8️⃣ How often does Mia come to the café? | b. Almost every morning. |
✅ Answer Key
🔹 Part 2 🧋 Vocabulary Review – Café Words
Word | Meaning |
1️⃣ Barista | b. Someone who makes and serves coffee |
2️⃣ Latte | a. A type of coffee with chocolate and milk |
3️⃣ Steamed milk | c. Warm milk with froth made by steam |
4️⃣ Recommend | d. To say something is a good choice |
5️⃣ Study abroad | e. To learn in another country |
🎯 Practice Time!
Try answering these in your notebook or in the comments:
Who is your favourite singer?
_____________________________________________
What do you usually have for breakfast?
_____________________________________________
Where would you like to go this weekend?
_____________________________________________
When did you last meet your best friend?_____________________________________________
How often do you visit a café?
_____________________________________________
☕ Love English + Café Culture?
Check out more fun café-themed lessons here:
🔔 Practice More:Want to improve your listening and speaking skills?
🎥 Check out our YouTube Channel Playlist:
🔗English Tenses Made Simple: Lessons & Stories https://tinyurl.com/5n6s4zp5
🔗Learn Grammar Through Engaging Stories https://tinyurl.com/bvwvckfu
🔗ESL Listening Practice With Engaging Stories https://tinyurl.com/37rf8e23
Watch and Learn! For more ESL reading and listening practice video lessons, subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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