Are you struggling with forming questions in English? Do you find yourself confused when trying to use ‘am,’ ‘is,’ and ‘are’ with question words like ‘what,’ ‘where,’ and ‘who’? You’re not alone! WH questions with the verb to be are fundamental building blocks of English conversation, yet they often present challenges for language learners.
This comprehensive guide will take you through everything you need to know about forming and using WH questions with the verb to be (am, is, are). Whether you’re a beginner trying to grasp the basics or an intermediate learner looking to refine your skills, this article offers clear explanations, practical examples, and effective exercises to boost your confidence in English communication.
Understanding WH Question Words
Before diving into the exercises, let’s establish a solid foundation by understanding what WH questions are and how they function in English grammar.
WH questions are questions that typically begin with one of the following question words:
What – asks for information about something
Where – asks about location or place ‘
When – asks about time
Who – asks about a person
Whom – asks about the object of a verb (formal)
Whose – asks about possession
Why – asks for a reason
How – asks about manner or method (technically not a WH word, but grouped with them)
These question words help us gather specific information, unlike yes/no questions which simply confirm or deny something. The beauty of WH questions is that they open up conversations and allow for detailed responses.
The Verb To Be: Am, Is, Are
The verb “to be” is one of the most frequently used verbs in English. In the present simple tense, it has three forms:
Am – used with the subject “I”
Is – used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it, name, singular noun)
Are – used with plural subjects (we, you, they, plural nouns)
When combined with WH question words, these forms help us create meaningful questions that are essential for everyday communication.
Basic Structure of WH Questions with Verb To Be
Understanding the structure is crucial for forming correct WH questions with the verb to be. Here’s the standard pattern:
| Question Word | Verb To Be (am/is/are) | Subject | Complement | ? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | is | your | name | ? |
| Where | are | they | going | ? |
| Who | is | that | person | ? |
Notice that in WH questions with the verb to be, we place the verb before the subject—a structure known as inversion. This is different from making statements, where the subject comes before the verb.
Rules to Remember:
- The WH question word always comes first
- The verb to be (am, is, or are) comes next
- The subject follows the verb
- The question ends with a question mark
This structure might seem simple, but mastering it requires practice, especially when determining which form of the verb to be to use with different subjects.
Common Examples of WH Questions with Am, Is, and Are
Let’s explore some everyday examples of WH questions using each form of the verb to be. These examples will help you understand how these questions function in real-life situations.
Questions with “Am”:
“Where am I supposed to go?”
“Why am I feeling so tired today?”
“How am I going to solve this problem?”
Questions with “Is”:
“What is your favorite color?”
“Where is the nearest grocery store?”
“Who is the manager of this department?”
“Why is the sky blue?”
“How is your brother doing?”
Questions with “Are”:
“What are your plans for the weekend?”
“Where are my keys?”
“Who are those people waiting outside?”
“Why are the prices so high?”
“How are you feeling today?”
These examples demonstrate how versatile WH questions with the verb to be can be in everyday conversations. They help us gather specific information and engage in meaningful dialogues.
WH Questions with Verb To Be Exercises
Ready to put your knowledge into practice? Let’s dive into a series of carefully designed exercises that will help you master WH questions with am, is, and are. These exercises progress from simple to more complex, allowing you to build confidence gradually.
Exercise 1: Basic Fill-in-the-Blanks
Complete each question with the correct form of the verb to be (am, is, are):
| Question Word | Verb To Be | Subject | Complement | Complete Question |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where | _____ | she | going | Where _____ she going? |
| What | _____ | they | doing | What _____ they doing? |
| Who | _____ | you | waiting for | Who _____ you waiting for? |
| Why | _____ | he | late | Why _____ he late? |
| How | _____ | I | supposed to know | How _____ I supposed to know? |
| What | _____ | it | used for | What _____ it used for? |
| Where | _____ | we | meeting | Where _____ we meeting? |
| Who | _____ | that | in the photo | Who _____ that in the photo? |
Answers: is, are, are, is, am, is, are, is
Exercise 2: Reordering Words to Form Questions
Arrange the following groups of words to form correct WH questions:
- your / what / name / is / ?
- from / where / are / you / ?
- the / who / teacher / is / ?
- happy / why / are / they / so / ?
- old / how / you / are / ?
- ready / when / we / are / leaving / ?
- whose / this / book / is / ?
- are / why / late / you / always / ?
Answers:
- What is your name?
- Where are you from?
- Who is the teacher?
- Why are they so happy?
- How old are you?
- When are we leaving?
- Whose book is this?
- Why are you always late?
Exercise 3: Creating Questions for Given Answers
Form appropriate WH questions with the verb to be that would elicit the following answers:
| Answer | Appropriate Question |
|---|---|
| “My name is John.” | ________________________ |
| “She is 25 years old.” | ________________________ |
| “They are from Canada.” | ________________________ |
| “It is on the table.” | ________________________ |
| “We are studying English.” | ________________________ |
| “He is sad because he lost his job.” | ________________________ |
| “These are my parents.” | ________________________ |
| “I am feeling better today.” | ________________________ |
Sample Answers:
- What is your name?
- How old is she?
- Where are they from?
- Where is it?
- What are you studying?
- Why is he sad?
- Who are these people?
- How are you feeling today?
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even advanced English learners sometimes struggle with WH questions using the verb to be. Here are some common mistakes and tips to avoid them:
Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
Incorrect: “Where is your parents?” Correct: “Where are your parents?”
Remember that the form of “to be” must agree with the subject, not with the question word. Since “parents” is plural, we use “are” instead of “is.”
Forgetting Inversion
Incorrect: “Where you are going?” Correct: “Where are you going?”
In WH questions, the verb comes before the subject. This inversion is essential for forming grammatically correct questions.
Confusing Question Words
Incorrect: “How is your name?” (when asking for someone’s name) Correct: “What is your name?”
Each question word has a specific purpose. “How” asks about manner or method, while “What” asks for information about something.
Using the Wrong Tense
Incorrect: “Where are you yesterday?” (when asking about past location) Correct: “Where were you yesterday?”
Remember that “am, is, are” are present tense forms. For past tense questions, use “was” or “were.”
Overcomplicating Simple Questions
Verbose: “What is the information regarding your age?” Better: “How old are you?”
English often has standard, concise ways to ask for specific information. Learning these common questions will make your English sound more natural.
Practical Applications of WH Questions with Am, Is, and Are
In Social Situations
WH questions with the verb to be are essential for initiating conversations and getting to know people. They help you gather personal information in a polite, socially acceptable way.
“What is your favorite hobby?”
“Where are you from originally?”
“How are you adjusting to your new job?”
“Who is that person you were talking to?”
These questions show interest in the other person and can help establish rapport in social settings.
In Academic Settings
In classrooms and educational contexts, WH questions with the verb to be help clarify understanding and encourage critical thinking:
“What is the main theme of this story?”
“Why is this historical event significant?”
“How are these scientific concepts related?”
“Where are the resources for this project?”
In Professional Environments
At work, these questions help gather information, solve problems, and clarify expectations:
“What is the deadline for this project?”
“Who is responsible for this task?”
“Why is this approach better than the alternatives?”
“Where are the meeting notes from yesterday?”
In Travel Situations
When traveling, WH questions with the verb to be can be lifesavers:
“Where is the nearest hospital?”
“How far is the airport from here?”
“What is the local currency?”
“Who is the person I should contact in case of emergency?”
Advanced WH Question Exercises with Am, Is, Are
Now that we’ve covered the basics and some common contexts, let’s challenge ourselves with more complex exercises that reflect real-life language usage.
Exercise 4: Situational Questions
For each situation below, write an appropriate WH question using the verb to be:
- You need to know the price of a product.
- You want to find out why someone looks upset.
- You’re curious about the identity of a new colleague.
- You want to know the location of a specific building.
- You’re interested in someone’s opinion about a movie.
- You need to know the distance to your destination.
Sample Answers:
- What is the price of this product?
- Why are you looking upset?
- Who is that new colleague?
- Where is the [specific] building?
- What is your opinion about the movie?
- How far is our destination?
Exercise 5: Question-Answer Matching
Match each question in Column A with its most logical answer in Column B:
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Where is the library? | a. She’s a software engineer. |
| 2. Who are those children? | b. It’s about climate change. |
| 3. What is the topic of the presentation? | c. They’re my neighbor’s kids. |
| 4. How old is your brother? | d. It’s on the second floor. |
| 5. Why is she so successful? | e. He’s 15 years old. |
| 6. When is the meeting? | f. Because she works incredibly hard. |
| 7. Whose car is this? | g. It’s at 3 PM tomorrow. |
| 8. How are the new policies affecting you? | h. It’s my father’s. |
Answers: 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-e, 5-f, 6-g, 7-h, 8-answers will vary
Exercise 6: Creating Complex Questions
Transform the following statements into WH questions focusing on the underlined information:
- The meeting is at 9 AM.
- She is upset because her flight was canceled.
- The new policy is beneficial for remote workers.
- The documents are in the top drawer.
- The conference is three days long.
- They are responsible for customer service.
Sample Answers:
- When is the meeting?
- Why is she upset?
- What is beneficial for remote workers?
- Where are the documents?
- How long is the conference?
- What are they responsible for?
WH Questions in Different English Dialects and Registers
While the basic structure of WH questions with the verb to be remains consistent across English varieties, there are subtle differences in how they’re used in different dialects and registers.
Formal vs. Informal Questions
In formal settings, questions tend to be more complete and precisely worded:
Formal: “What is the reason for your application?” Informal: “Why are you applying?”
Formal: “Where is the document that was submitted yesterday?” Informal: “Where’s that doc from yesterday?”
Regional Variations
Different English-speaking regions may have unique ways of forming or using WH questions:
British English: “Where are you staying whilst in London?” American English: “Where are you staying while in New York?”
Indian English: “What is your good name?” (when asking someone’s name) Standard English: “What is your name?”
Conclusion: Mastering WH Questions with Verb To Be
WH questions with am, is, and are form the backbone of English conversation. They allow us to seek specific information, establish connections, and navigate daily situations effectively. By understanding their structure and practicing regularly with exercises like those provided in this guide, you can significantly improve your English communication skills.
Remember these key points:
- WH question words (what, where, when, who, why, how) help us gather specific information
- The verb to be changes form (am, is, are) depending on the subject
- In questions, the verb comes before the subject
- Different contexts call for different types of questions
Whether you’re a student, professional, traveler, or simply an enthusiast learning English, mastering WH questions with the verb to be will open doors to more fluid, natural, and effective communication.
Keep practicing, be patient with yourself, and soon forming these questions will become second nature. Happy learning!
Practice Resources
For further practice, consider using:
- Language exchange apps to practice with native speakers
- Online grammar quizzes focused on question formation
- Daily journaling where you write questions about your experiences
- Conversation groups where you can apply these skills in real-time
Remember, like any skill, mastering WH questions takes time and consistent practice, but the rewards—clear communication and deeper connections—are well worth the effort.
