ASKING FOR INFORMATION

There are a number of formulas used when asking for information in English. Here are some of the most common:

• Could you tell me...?
• Do you know...?
• Do you happen to know...?
• I'd like to know...
• Could you find out...?
• I'm interested in...
• I'm looking for..

These two forms are used for asking for information on the telephone:

• I'm calling to find out...
• I'm calling about... 

WH QUESTIONS 

When? Where?  Who?  Why?  How?  What?	Time Place  Person  Reason  Manner  Object/Idea/Action

®      To make a question using the predicate pattern, first form a yes/no question byinverting the subject and (first) auxiliary verb. Then, add the appropriate wh- word to the beginning of the sentence.

(You will leave some time.)	? will you leave When will you leave?
(He is doing something.)	? is he doing What is he doing?
(They have been somewhere.)	? have they been Where have they been?

®      If there is no auxiliary and the verb is "be," invert the subject and verb, then add the appropriate wh- word to the beginning of the sentence.

(He is someone.)	? is he Who is he?
(The meeting was some time.)	? was the meeting When was the meeting?

®      If there is no auxiliary and the verb is not "be," add do to the beginning of the sentence. Then add the appropriate wh-question word. Be sure to "transfer" the tense and number from the main verb to the word do. 

(You want something.)	? do you want What do you want?
(You went somewhere.)	? did you go (past tense) Where did you go?
(She likes something.)	? does she like (third person -s) What does she like?

®     Other words can also be used to inquire about specific information: 

Which (one)? Whose? Whom? How much? How many? How long? How often? How far? What kind (of)?

Choice of alternatives Possession Person (objective formal) Price, amount (non-count) Quantity (count) Duration Frequency Distance Description