Q and A

A pair work question formation and fluency activity

Germán Ricardo Bernal

Laura Daniela Rojas
QUESTION FORMATION
● To make questions with modal verbs and with tenses where there is an
auxiliary verb (be, have, etc.) invert the subject and the modal/auxiliary verb

-We should wash it → Should we wash it? -He is in Cali → Is he in Cali?

● With the present and the past simple, add do / does or did before the subject.

it’s important have in mind the concordance between the elements

He bought it? → Did he buy it? / She wants to leave → Does she want to leave?
We often use the negative questions to show surprise or when you expect
somebody to agree with you.

Aren’t you coming? (Contracted – auxiliary verb + n’t + subject)

Doesn’t he understand? (Auxiliary verb + n’t + subject)

Are you not coming? (Uncontracted – auxiliary verb + subject + not)

Does he not understand? (Auxiliary verb + subject + not)

to ask for confirmation of something you believe to be true

● Didn’t you see Ann yesterday? How is she doing? (= I believe that you saw Ann
yesterday.)

express your opinions in a more polite way

● Wouldn’t it be nice to paint that wall green? (More polite than ‘It would be nice
to paint that wall green.’)

to ask for confirmation of a negative belief.

● Hasn’t the postman come yet?

and also in a invitation: Wouldn’t you like something to drink?

 ● If a verb is followed by a preposition, the preposition comes at the end of the
question.

I am looking for a job → what is that guy looking for?

● When who/what/which, etc is the subject of the question, don’t use do/did.

what is wrong with the equipment?

GRAMMAR ACTIVITY (PAGE 160, POINT A)
ANSWERS
DIRECT QUESTIONS AND INDIRECT QUESTIONS
DIRECT QUESTIONS are the “normal” questions that we can ask friends, family
members, and people who know well.

EXAMPLE: Where’s the bathroom?

INDIRECT QUESTIONS are a little more formal and polite. We use them when
talking to a person we don’t know very well, or in professional situations and their
form is a little different.

EXAMPLE: Could you tell me where the bathroom is?

 PHRASES FOR INDIRECT QUESTIONS

● Could you tell me…

● Do you know…
● I was wondering…
● Do you have any idea…
● I’d like to know…
● Would it be possible…
● Is there any chance…
 EXAMPLES OF DIRECT QUESTIONS TO INDIRECT
QUESTIONS
Direct: Where is Market Street? / Indirect: Could you tell me where Market Street
is?

Direct What time does the bank open? / Indirect: Do you know what time the bank
opens?

Direct: Can you finish the project by tomorrow? / Indirect: Would it be possible for
you to finish the project by tomorrow?
 YES/NO DIRECT QUESTIONS –> “IF” IN INDIRECT QUESTIONS

If the direct question is a “yes or no” question (it has no question word such as
what, who, when, where, why, or how), then the indirect question will have if.

Direct: Does Tom like Italian food? / Indirect: Do you know if Tom likes Italian
food?

Direct: Are your parents joining us for dinner? / Indirect: Could you tell me if your
parents are joining us for dinner?

Direct: Do you plan on traveling this summer? / Indirect: I’d like to know if you plan
on traveling this summer.