What are question words?
Question words are special words we use to ask for information in a sentence. They help us learn more about people, places, reasons, and actions.
- Who is your teacher?
- Where is your backpack?
- Why are you smiling?
Question words are often found at the beginning of a sentence and usually end with a question mark (?).
Who
Who is used to ask about a person or people. It helps us find out which person is doing something.
- Who is knocking on the door?
- Who helped you with your homework?
- Who is your best friend?
If the answer is a person’s name or a group of people, who is the correct question word.
What
What is used to ask about a thing, an idea, or an action. It helps us learn more about objects or activities.
- What is inside the box?
- What are you drawing?
- What is your favorite book?
Use what when the answer is not a person.
Where
Where is used to ask about a place or location. It tells us where something happens.
- Where is the playground?
- Where do you keep your shoes?
- Where are we going today?
If the answer names a place, where is the best question word.
When
When is used to ask about time. It helps us know what time or day something happens.
- When is your birthday?
- When do we eat lunch?
- When does school start?
Answers to when questions often include words like today, tomorrow, or a clock time.
Why
Why is used to ask about a reason. It helps us understand why something happens.
- Why are you wearing a coat?
- Why is the dog barking?
- Why do we wash our hands?
Answers to why questions often begin with the word because.