INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE
Definition: An interrogative sentence is a type of sentence which usually asks a question and use a question mark (?). They may ask for information or for confirmation or denial of a statement. They typically begin with a question word such as what, who, or how, or an auxiliary verb such as do/does, can or would.
For example:
- Do you speak French?
- Will you go to the supermarket for me?
- How can I do that?
Types
There are four types of interrogative sentences.
Yes/No Interrogatives
Yes/No questions usually will be answered by yes or no.
For example:
- Will you bring your book?
* => Answer: Yes or No)
- Did she pass the test?
* => Answer: Yes or No)
Alternative Interrogatives
Alternative interrogativse offer two or more alternative responses:
For example:
- Should I telephone you or send an email?
- Do you want bear, wine, or wisky?
Yes/no interrogatives and alternative interrogatives are introduced by an auxiliary verb.
Wh- Interrogatives
Wh- Interrogatives are introduced by a wh- word, and they elicit an open-ended response:
For example:
- What happened?
- Where do you work?
- Who won the Cup Final in 1997?
Tag Questions
They are sometimes tagged onto the end of a declarative sentence.
For example:
- David plays the piano, doesn't he?
- We've forgotten the milk, haven't we?
- There's a big match tonight, isn't there?
Notes:
Be careful to distinguish between direct and indirect questions. Direct questions normally use inverted word order (verb before subject) and end with a question mark. Indirect questions normally do not use inverted word order and do not end with a question mark.
For example:
- When was Lester Pearson prime minister?
=> Direct/Interrogative.
- I wonder when Lester Pearson was prime minister.
=> Indirect/Declarative.
» Declarative Sentence
» Exclamative Sentence
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