Classification and usage of Interrogative adverbs in English

What are Interrogative adverbs? How many Interrogative adverbs are there in English? In today's article, let's explore all the information related to Interrogative adverbs with PREP!

I. What are Interrogative adverbs?

Interrogative adverbs in English are adverbs used to ask questions about specific matters such as things/events, time, place, frequency, attitude, etc. Here are some Interrogative adverb examples:

• What is your name? ➞ "What" is an interrogative adverb about things.

• Where is your mother? ➞ "Where" is an interrogative adverb about place.

II. Functions of Interrogative adverbs

The functions of Interrogative adverbs in English include the following knowledge:

III. Classification of Interrogative adverbs

So, how many types of Interrogative adverbs are there? Let's explore them right below!

1. Interrogative adverbs of Time

Interrogative adverbs of time are used to ask about the time when an action or event occurs: When, What time, How long, etc. Example:

• When did you start learning English? 

• What time is it?

2. Interrogative adverbs of Place

Interrogative adverbs of place are used to ask about the location of an action or event: Where,... Example:

• Where are you from?

• Where were you born? 

3. Interrogative adverbs of Reason

Interrogative adverbs of reason are used to ask about the reason, cause of an action or event.. Bao gồm: Why,... Example:

• Why did you hit Anna?

• Why did you choose this major? 

4. Interrogative adverbs of Manner

Interrogative adverbs of manners are used to ask about the method, way of carrying out an action: How,... Example:

• How do you do this?

• How did you solve this problem? 

IV. How to use Interrogative adverbs in sentences

How are Interrogative adverbs used in sentences? Let's take a quick look with PREP!

1. Interrogative adverbs with regular questions

Structure:

Interrogative Adverb + Verb + S + O?

Example:

• When will you start the project? 

• Where does the company hold the conference?

2. Interrogative adverbs in Yes/No questions

Structure:

Auxiliary Verb + S + V + Interrogative Adverb + S + V?

Example:

• Have you told me when the meeting starts? 

• Do you know where she lives? 

3. Interrogative adverbs in indirect questions

Structure:

+ V1 + Interrogative Adverb + S + V2 + O.

Example:

• I wonder why she left the party early. 

• He asked when they would arrive.

V. List of common Interrogative adverbs

Let's quickly go over the common Interrogative adverbs with PREP!

VI. Notes when using Interrogative adverbs

When using Interrogative adverbs, you need to be aware of the following:

• In indirect questions, the clause after the interrogative adverb needs to be in the past tense. Example: "Where were you this whole afternoon?" My mom asked me. ➞ My mom asked me where I had been that whole afternoon.

• Do not use the question mark "?" when the interrogative adverb is not at the beginning of the sentence. Example:

  • I asked her when she would go to Japan again. ➞ ✅

  • I asked her when she would go to Japan again? ➞ ❌

VII. Interrogative adverbs exercises with answers

To better understand how to use Interrogative adverbs in English, let's complete the practice exercises below with PREP!

1. Exercise

Exercise 1: Fill in the appropriate Interrogative adverbs in the blanks

1. I can’t switch on this audio, _______ can you do that?

2. _________ have you kept those CDs? My mom has been looking for them all day.

3. _________ will she visit Thailand again?

4. _________ did Hannah get this beautiful skirt from?

5. _________ is the nearest coffee shop?

Exercise 2: Convert the following sentences into indirect questions

1. “Where is my backpack?” Linda asked.

2. “Why didn’t you watch the film yesterday?” Andy asked Peter.

3. “Why are you sleeping?” the professor asked.

4. “How did she solve the problem?” he asked.

5. “Where will your family go on vacation next summer?” I asked Sarah.

2. Answer

PREP has now shared with you the definition, functions, positions, and a list of common Interrogative adverbs. Be sure to follow PREP regularly to keep updating your useful English knowledge!