One of the most difficult topics for learners of this foreign language is considered interrogative sentences in English. If in Russian the question is expressed in intonation and does not require the memorization of special rules, then in Shakespeare's language it depends on the knowledge of the rules whether they will understand you or not. That is why interrogative sentences in English are considered to be complex, but required material for study.
General issues and their structure
There are many categories of interrogative sentences in English grammar. But first, let's look at a common outline for all English questions. Any interrogative sentence begins with a so-called keyword. In this role, the forms of the verb "to be" can act; "to have"; "to do"; modal verbs; "shall", "will" and combinations of words forming the grammatical time of a sentence depending on the situation. Examples:
1) Are we at home already? - Yes, we are; No, we aren't.
Are we already at home? - Well no
2) Were you there? - Yes, I was; No, I wasn't.
You were there? - Well no
3) Is your dad an engineer? He is; He isn't
Is your dad an engineer? - Well no
4) Has she got the doll she liked? Yes, she has; No, she has not.
Now she has a doll that she likes? - Well no
5) Have you got any ideas about it?
Any ideas on this?
6) Had she ever got a car? Yes, she had; No, she hadn't.
Has she ever had a car? - Well no
7) Do you realy speak English so well? I do; No, I don't.
Do you really speak English so well? - Well no
8) Does Nina like sushi? Oh! Yes, she does; No, she doesn't.
Does Nina love sushi? - Still like that! / No
9) Did they do the job instead of us? Yes, they did. No, they didn't.
Did they work for us? Yes, they worked / No, they did not work for us.
10) Can you help me? Sure, I can; No, I can't.
Can you help me? - Of course / no, I can’t
11) Should I go business? I think, you should; No, you shouldn't.
Should I do business? - I think yes / no, this is not for you
12) Need you this? Oh! I realy need it. No, I needn't.
Do you really need it? - Yes, it is necessary / No, it is not necessary
13) Have we been being served in the restraunt well? Yes, we have. No, we haven't.
Are we served well in the restaurant now? - Well no
14) Will the message have been received in time? Yes, it will. No, it won't
Will the message be received on time? - Yes, on time / No.
15) Is this made of steel? Yes, it is. No, it isn't.
Is it made of steel? - Yes, steel / no
These are the simplest interrogative sentences in English. Let's consider other options.
The connection between the auxiliary verb and the structure of the answer to the question
In all the answers provided, it is imperative that the key in which the question is asked is observed. This is unique in the English language. The types of interrogative sentences have some similarities in structure. In other words, the question always has a part of the answer, namely an auxiliary verb. When asked "Do you smoke?" you can not answer "No, I'm not."
So these were "generals questions" - questions that need to be answered yes or no. The difference between them is only in the keyword, i.e. in the auxiliary verb.
The principle of the special role of the keyword is applicable to almost all categories of question types of sentences. And although it is in the first place with general questions, the word order in other sentences can change, but it remains as strict. Thus, the interrogative sentences in the English language have a clearly defined structure, which can never be changed.
Alternative questions
Alternative questions - a question forces you to make a choice. Between the words that express the choice, there is always a "or" particle. Examples:
- Do you prefer driving or riding here? Do you prefer driving or horse riding here?
- So, where did exactly the main character live Rome or Milan? So where exactly did the main character live, in Rome or Milan?
- What is your best swimming or running? What do you do best, swimming or jogging?
Examples clearly show that the answer to such questions should be short. The last two examples lead us to consider another category of interrogative sentences.
Special questions or special interrogative sentences in English
A special category of questions in English is "Wh-questions" or "special questions." They are not difficult for learners of English. The construction of the interrogative sentence depends on the initial message of the speaker. Special questions are unique in that they need to not only understand the essence of the statement, but also correctly express their thoughts without falling into the semantic trap. This category of questions differs in that it does not always obey the general outline of the English interrogative sentence. Actually, this category is conditionally divided into 2 types - "object question" and "subject question". All they have in common is that "Wh-questions" always begin with one of the following interrogative adverbs: what, where, when, why, which, who, whom, whose, how.
Types of Special Issues
Object question
The interrogative adverb acts as a pointer to be answered. Here "Wh-question" obeys the general English interrogative pattern (with the keyword at the beginning of the sentence) only with the amendment that one of the interrogative adverbs is put before the keyword.
- Who do you choose to your team? Him. - Who do you choose as a team? His.
- What has this man done? Nothing. “What has this man done?” Nothing special.
- Where are you going? Just shopping. - Where are you going? Yes, just go shopping.
Subject question
The interrogative adverb acts as a pointer to the complement to the answer. That is, in this case, the cause of the question is the supplement, not the subject. There is an affirmative word order (not obeying the general English interrogative pattern), but with the amendment that the interrogative adverb acts as the subject. This category is possible only with the words "what" and "who", which in translation into Russian will always be in the nominative case.
- Who jumps higher than others? Who jumps above the rest? - Michael jumps higher than others. Misha jumps with us above the rest.
“Jumping higher than the rest of us” is the reason for the question (addition), and not Misha (what he is, what he knows, what knows).
- What makes me well? What makes me feel better? - Oh! It's inspiration. Inspiration.
The essence of the question is “makes me feel better”, and not what it is (my inspiration).
For comparison: object question - What does it make yourself well? How does it feel to make you feel better?
Special questions can be combined with alternative ones, for example:
- Who do you like, Mary or Lucy? - Who do you like more, Masha or Lyuda?
- What goes next, task or rest? - So what's next, a task or a vacation?
What is the difference between interrogative constructions in Russian and English?
Now consider the most radical difference in the answers in Russian and English. Negative questions often serve to provide more emotional coloring for a question, for example:
- Don't you want to go there with us today? - Don’t you go with us there today?
The answer is yes, (I don’t want), it will sound like "No, I don't." And "no, (I want)" - "Yes, I do."
Interrogative sentences in English with a negative word in the answer always mean a negative answer, and vice versa. In Russian, with this question, the word "yes" can mean "I do not want", and the word "no" - "I want". Wrong to say in English "Yes, I don't." In English, you cannot combine "yes" with negative particles. Negative questions are especially relevant in business communication.
- Wouldn't you like a cup of coffee? How do you agree to a cup of coffee? / Would you like a cup of coffee?
Another
type of question — separation questions — also serves more for emotional stress than for conveying meaning itself. They are translated into Russian only with the help of the “right?” Design Separation questions are rarely used, especially in the spoken version of the English language. In the stream of speech, most often the British and Americans also use intonation. But in writing it is extremely important to follow all grammar rules. Interrogative sentences in the English language fulfill their communicative task only if they are correctly constructed. For instance:
- Is he just a driver, isn't he? “He's just a driver, isn't he?”
- The monk likes to be on his own. Doesn't he? “This monk loves being alone with himself, right?”
Thus, interrogative sentences in English are a separate section of the grammar, which requires painstaking and thoughtful study.