Pose questions in English It may seem complicated at first glance, but with proper knowledge of the structure of questions and the correct use of interrogative particles, it is an easy challenge to overcome. These particles or WH questions are essential and key in formulating questions in English. They are called this because they begin with 'WH', such as 'What', 'Which' or 'Who'. Each of them has a particular use and is used in different contexts. Below, we will analyze in detail the use of 'What', 'Which' and 'Who', as well as their specific contexts, together with examples that will make them easier to understand.
«WH questions»: What
The particle «What» is one of the most commonly used 'WH questions'. Translated into Spanish, it generally corresponds to the interrogative "what?". It is used when we need information about something in general, without predefined options. It is perfect for asking about things or concepts that the speaker does not have specific knowledge of..
Additionally, 'What' can be used to ask about personal characteristics or details.
Examples:
- What did you do last night? -> What did you do last night?
- What are you thinking about? -> What are you thinking about?
- What is your name? -> What is your name?
When to use “What” in English?
“What” is commonly used for general questions, without a defined set of answer options. It is ideal when the number of possible answers is large or unknown. For example, if you ask “What is your favorite food?"You're not limiting the speaker to choosing between two or three options; he can choose any type of food.
Common questions with “What”
- What's your job? -> What is your job?
- What do you prefer? -> What do you prefer?
- What time is it? -> What time is it?
At times, “what” may appear to clash with “which” in usage, but as we will see later, the key difference is in the context and the number of options available.
«WH questions»: Which
The particle «Which» It can also be translated as “what” or “which” in Spanish, but it has a key distinction in relation to “what.” It is used when the number of options is limited, that is, when you have to choose from a subset of possible answers. We can think of “which” as the equivalent of asking “which of these?”
Examples:
- Which is the cheapest one? -> Which is the cheapest?
- Which is your sister? -> Which is your sister?
What is the difference between “What” and “Which”?
The main difference between 'What' and 'Which' is whether there are limited options or not. For example, if you are in a meeting with several books on a table, you might ask "Which book do you want to read?» (What book do you want to read?). But if you're just asking in general about favorite books, with no restrictions, you would use «What books do you like?«.
Common Questions with “Which”
- Which dress do you prefer? -> Which dress do you prefer?
- Which one is your favorite? -> Which is your favorite?
- Which color do you want for your room? -> What color do you want for your room?
«WH questions»: Who
The particle «Who» It is used when we want to ask about people, and is equivalent to "who?" in Spanish. It is used to identify a person or people.
Examples:
- Who is that woman? -> Who is that woman?
- Who did you see in Barcelona? -> Who did you see in Barcelona?
How to use “Who” correctly?
Who is used to ask about the identity of a person or group. It is usually the subject of the sentence we are asking about. For example, in «Who is coming to the party?"We are asking about the person who will perform the action of coming.
It is important to clarify that when "who" is not the subject, but is the object of the question, it can sometimes be replaced by "whom" in formal contexts, although "whom" is much less common today in spoken English.
Common Questions with “Who”
- Who are you calling? -> Who are you calling?
- Who told you that? -> Who told you that?
- Who will attend the meeting? -> Who will attend the meeting?
It is also worth noting that 'Who' can be used in indirect questions, as in 'Can you tell me who is coming?» (Can you tell me who will come?)
Common mistakes and clarifications
Many English learners tend to confuse the use of “what” and “which,” especially since both can be translated as “qué” or “ cual” in Spanish. However, you should remember that Which is used when options are limited, while “what” refers to a more open-ended question.
- For example, if you are in front of two cars and ask "Which one is yours?«, the choice is limited to those two cars. However, if you are curiously asking about the favorite car model in general, you would say «What is your favorite car?«.
«What» and «Which» in questions with «one»
In English, it is also common to reinforce “which” with “one” or “ones” to clarify that the choice refers to a specific group of options. Some examples are:
- Which (one) do you prefer? -> Which one do you prefer?
- Which (ones) are yours? -> Which ones are yours?
Similarly, 'What' can also be reinforced in certain phrases such as 'What's your address/name/job?» when, in Spanish, we would use «which».
Mastering the use of “What”, “Which” and “Who” is essential for asking questions in English accurately and clearly. Always remember to consider the context and the type of information you need before choosing which words to use. Constant practice will make their use more natural in your everyday conversations.