Question Word | Function | Example |
what | asking for information about something | What is your name? |
| asking for repetition or confirmation | What? I can't hear you. You did what? |
what...for | asking for a reason, asking why | What did you do that for? |
when | asking about time | When did he leave? |
where | asking in or at what place or position | Where do they live? |
which | asking about choice | Which colour do you want? |
who | asking what or which person or people (subject) | Who opened the door? |
whom | asking what or which person or people (object) | Whom did you see? |
whose | asking about ownership | Whose are these keys? Whose turn is it? |
why | asking for reason, asking what...for | Why do you say that? |
why don't | making a suggestion | Why don't I help you? |
how | asking about manner | How does this work? |
| asking about condition or quality | How was your exam? |
how + adj/adv | asking about extent or degree | see examples below |
how far | distance | How far is Pattaya from Bangkok? |
how long | length (time or space) | How long will it take? |
how many | quantity (countable) | How many cars are there? |
how much | quantity (uncountable) | How much money do you have? |
how old | age | How old are you? |
how come (informal) | asking for reason, asking why | How come I can't see her? |