Making Correct Questions in English

Making questions… / … is often difficult for students because of the order of the words. / Here is a way to help you remember correct word order for questions. / … is often difficult for students because of the order of the words. / Here is a way to help you remember correct word order for questions.

Introducing… / ASVR

… and his cousin … / WASVR

Use ASVR when you want to form Yes/No questions / Do you like chocolate? / Is anyone sitting there? / Do you like chocolate? / Is anyone sitting there?

How can ASVR help you? / Use his name to put the correct parts of speech in the correct order:

A = Auxiliary Verb (also called a Helping Verb) such as do, have, or be. S = Subject (the complete subject! This might include modifiers such as adjectives and articles). V = The Main Verb (sometimes the main verb is a participle ending in -ing or in -ed). R = The “Rest” (This is the remainder or what’s left. This might be an object, it might have a prepositional phrase with hit, etc.)

It’s easy! AuxiliarySubjectVerbRest Doyoulikechocolate? Isanyonesittingthere?

Exception: / ASVR doesn’t work for questions that have “be” as the main verb: / Are you from Arizona? / Why doesn’t ASVR work here? / ASVR doesn’t work for questions that have “be” as the main verb: / Are you from Arizona? / Why doesn’t ASVR work here?

What about WASVR? / Use WASVR when you want to form Wh- questions

WASVR is similar to his cousin, but he wears a hat. This hat is a word like where, when, why, how long, etc. These are called Wh- words (or Question words).

The Wh- word comes before the Auxiliary Verb, just like a hat is on the top of your head. / What time does class start? / Where do you like to shop?  When will we visit the library? / What time does class start? / Where do you like to shop?  When will we visit the library?

W = “wh” question word, such as what, why, what time, etc. A = Auxiliary Verb (also called a Helping Verb) such as do, have, or be. S = Subject (the complete subject! This might include modifiers such as adjectives and articles). V = The Main Verb (sometimes the main verb is a participle ending in -ing or in -ed). R = The “Rest” (This is the remainder or what’s left. This might be an object, it might have a prepositional phrase with hit, etc.)

It’s easy! Wh-wordAux.Subj.VerbRest What timedoesclassstart? Wheredoyouliketo study? Whenwillwevisitthe library?

Exception 1: / WASVR doesn’t work for questions with be: / What time is the ESL Compass test? / Why doesn’t WASVR work here? / WASVR doesn’t work for questions with be: / What time is the ESL Compass test? / Why doesn’t WASVR work here?

Exception 2: / WASVR doesn’t work for questions about the subject: / Who likes to take tests? Why doesn’t WASVR work here? / WASVR doesn’t work for questions about the subject: / Who likes to take tests? Why doesn’t WASVR work here?

Questions you must know how to ask correctly: WASVR HowdoIpronounce **** ? Whatdoes **** mean? HowdoIspell **** ?