what / where / when / why
what / where / when / why means “Wh-questions: what (thing), where (place), when (time), why (reason)”. Put the wh-word first, then the question order: What is this. Formation: Wh-word + be/do/does + subject ...?
Wh-questions: what (thing), where (place), when (time), why (reason)
A1Formation
Wh-word + be/do/does + subject ...?
Explanation
Put the wh-word first, then the question order: What is this? Where do you live? When does the movie start? Why are you late? With be, just move be before the subject; with other verbs, add do/does after the wh-word.
Examples
Note
Answer why with because: Why are you late? — Because the bus was late. Wh-questions cannot be answered with yes/no.
FAQ
what / where / when / why — what does it mean and how is it used?
Wh-questions: what (thing), where (place), when (time), why (reason). Put the wh-word first, then the question order: What is this? Where do you live? When does the movie start? Why are you late? With be, just move be before the subject; with other verbs, add do/does after the wh-word.
what / where / when / why — how do you form it?
Wh-word + be/do/does + subject ...?
what / where / when / why — any usage notes?
Answer why with because: Why are you late? — Because the bus was late. Wh-questions cannot be answered with yes/no.