Interrogatives — Types Of Interrogatives ❓

Subject: English (Kenya) • For age 10
These notes explain the kinds of questions (interrogatives) you use when you ask for information.

What is an interrogative?

An interrogative is a sentence that asks a question. It usually ends with a question mark (?).
Example: Where is the school? 👀

Main types of interrogatives
1. Yes / No questions (Answer: yes or no)

Form: Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb ... ?
- If there is no auxiliary, use "do/does/did".

  • Do you play football? ⚽
  • Does she like mangoes?
  • Did you see the teacher?
  • Is the market open?

Tip: Your voice often goes up at the end when you ask this aloud.

2. WH- questions (Open questions)

Start with a question word: who, what, where, when, why, how, which. These ask for more information.

  • Who is the headteacher? 👩🏽‍🏫
  • What is your favourite subject?
  • Where is Nairobi? 🗺️
  • When does school start?
  • Why are you late?
  • How do you go to school? (walk, bus, taxi)
  • Which book do you want?

Note: Use "which" when choosing from a small number of things (e.g., which jumper?).

3. Choice questions (Give a choice)

Give two or more options joined by "or".

  • Do you want mango or banana? 🥭🍌
  • Will you walk or take a bus to school?
4. Tag questions (Short question at the end)

Add a short question at the end to check or confirm something.

  • You are from Kisumu, aren’t you?
  • It is hot today, isn’t it? ☀️

If the sentence is positive, the tag is usually negative and vice versa.

5. Negative questions

These often show surprise or ask for confirmation. They use "not".

  • Haven’t you finished your homework?
  • Don’t you like ugali?
Simple rules to form questions
  1. Use a question word (who/what/where/when/why/how) if you need more than yes/no.
  2. If the sentence has an auxiliary verb (is/are/was/have/can/will), put it before the subject: Is he ready?
  3. If there is no auxiliary in present simple, use do/does: Do they sing? (does for he/she/it).
  4. In past simple use did: Did you go to the park?
  5. Remember the question mark (?) at the end.
Examples with different verbs
Be (is/are): Is the classroom clean?
Have (has/have): Have you got a pencil?
Do (present simple): Do they study Maths?
Did (past): Did you visit the museum?
Modals (can/will/must): Can you help me? / Will you come?
Quick practice — Change each statement into a question
  1. You eat ugali. → ___________________
  2. She is in class. → ___________________
  3. They played football. → ___________________
  4. You will come tomorrow. → ___________________
  5. He has a kite. → ___________________
Answers (click to view)
  1. Do you eat ugali?
  2. Is she in class?
  3. Did they play football?
  4. Will you come tomorrow?
  5. Does he have a kite? / Has he got a kite?
Final tips
  • Always use a question mark at the end.
  • Use the right auxiliary verb (is/are/do/does/did/have/can/will).
  • Ask clearly — this helps others give the right answer.
  • Practice by changing statements you hear into questions.

Made for Kenyan learners (age 10). Keep practicing with friends and in class! 📚🇰🇪


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