With be → move be before the person
No do or does is needed.
- Are you ready?
- Where was the meeting?
Free cheat sheet 06 · B1 and above
Build Better Questions
Get the word order right, then follow the answer.
A clear question helps someone answer. A natural follow-up shows you listened to what they said.
What to use—and when
Make the choice by meaning.
With a present or past action → do / does / did
The helper shows the time; the main verb stays in its base form.
- Where do you work?
- What did you choose?
With can / would / should → move that word
The modal is already the helper.
- Can you help?
- Would you try it again?
When who or what does the action → no extra helper
The question word itself is the subject.
- Who called you?
- What happened?
Understand the choice
Find the helper before moving the words
Most questions place an auxiliary, be or a modal before the subject.
| Form | Order | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Be | question word + am / is / are / was / were + subject | Where are you? |
| Present simple action | question word + do / does + subject + base verb | Where does she work? |
| Past simple action | question word + did + subject + base verb | What did you choose? |
| Continuous | question word + be + subject + verb-ing | What are you doing? |
| Perfect | question word + have / has / had + subject + past participle | Where have you been? |
| Modal | question word + can / will / would / should… + subject + base verb | When can we leave? |
- Leave out the question word for a yes/no question: “Does she work here?”
- Do not add do when there is already a helper: “Are you working?”, not “Do you are working?”
- Did and does carry the grammar, so the main verb returns to its base form: “Did she go?” / “Does she work?”
Understand the choice
Who did it—or who received the action?
This difference explains why some questions have do/did and others do not.
Subject question: who does the action?
Who or what replaces the subject. A positive subject question usually needs no added do/did.
- Ana called me. → Who called you?
- Something happened. → What happened?
- Someone lives here. → Who lives here?
Object question: who receives the action?
The subject is still in the question, so an ordinary simple-tense action needs do/does/did.
- I called Ana. → Who did you call?
- She chose this book. → Which book did she choose?
Understand the choice
Choose the question that asks for the information you need
A more specific question often makes the answer easier.
| Question | Ask for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| What / which | Information or a choice; which often narrows the options | What happened? / Which of these two do you prefer? |
| Who / whose | A person / possession | Who helped you? / Whose bag is this? |
| Where / when / why | Place / time / reason | Where did you meet? / Why did you leave? |
| How long | Duration | How long have you lived here? |
| How often | Frequency | How often do you practise? |
| How much / how many | Amount / number | How much time do we have? / How many lessons did you book? |
| How…? | A method, condition or experience | How did you learn? / How was the journey? |
Understand the choice
Polite openings change the word order inside
After “Could you tell me…” or “Do you know…”, use statement order in the embedded question.
Direct → embedded question
The opening carries the main question. The embedded part normally follows subject + verb.
- Where is the station? → Could you tell me where the station is?
- What time does it start? → Do you know what time it starts?
Yes/no embedded questions use if or whether
Use if/whether when there is no question word such as where or when.
- Is it open? → Do you know if it’s open?
- Has she arrived? → Could you check whether she has arrived?
Understand the choice
Follow the answer, rather than a memorised list
A natural follow-up picks up a real detail the other person gave you.
| They say… | A connected follow-up | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| I went to Lisbon. | What did you enjoy most about Lisbon? | Uses the place they mentioned. |
| I’ve started a new job. | How are you finding it so far? | Asks about their current experience. |
| I’m thinking about moving. | What’s making you consider it? | Invites their reason. |
| The journey took ages. | What caused the delay? | Follows the problem they described. |
- “Did you like it?” is useful, but “What did you like about it?” invites a fuller answer.
- Ask one clear question, leave room for the answer and respond to what you hear. A conversation is not an interview checklist.
The quick check
Keep this beside you.
- Is the verb be or a modal? Move it before the person.
- An ordinary action? Use do, does or did plus the base verb.
- Is who/what doing the action? No extra helper.
Notice the difference
A small change can change the meaning.
A useful check, but it may get a short answer.
An open follow-up invites detail.
Common slips
A useful fix for next time.
Instead ofWhere you live?
UseWhere do you live?
A present-simple action question needs do or does.Instead ofWhat did you bought?
UseWhat did you buy?
Did carries the past; buy returns to its base form.