Interrogative Sentence - Definition, Types and Examples

Interrogative Sentence in English grammar

An interrogative sentence is one of the four basic types of sentence in English which is used to ask a question. Interrogative sentence structure or word order is wh question/auxiliary verb/ modal verb + subject + verb + any other element. As the name suggests, interrogative sentences function as questions, i.e., ask questions.

Continue to read to learn interrogative sentence definition, meaning, uses, types and examples with clear explanation.

This article covers the following topics.

Interrogative Sentence Definition
What is an interrogative sentence?
Interrogative Sentence Example
More Examples of Interrogative Sentence
Types of Interrogative Sentence
FAQs - Interrogative Sentence

Interrogative Sentence Definition and Meaning

What is an interrogative sentence? An interrogative sentence is a type of sentence that is used to ask a direct question, and not indirect question. Interrogative sentences end in question marks (?). The word order or structure of interrogative sentences is wh question word/auxiliary verb/modal verb + subject + verb + any other element.

According to the definition above, we can define an interrogative sentence in the following points.

1. An interrogative sentence is one of the four basic types of sentence in English: The three types of sentence in English are:

Declarative sentence: This type of sentence makes a statement or announcement as in "John is a good boy.".
Imperative sentence: This type of sentence gives a command or order as in "go there.".
Exclamatory or exclamative sentence: This type of sentence expresses surprise as in "what a beautiful house it is!".

2. An interrogative sentence asks a direct question: A direct question is a normal question starting with either an auxiliary verb or wh question word or modal verb. Look at the interrogative sentences asking direct questions.

a. Interrogative sentences asking direct questions with auxiliary verbs:

Do you like apples?
Did you go to the market?
Were you present in the class?
Have you submitted your assignment?
Are you late today?

b. Interrogative sentences asking direct questions with wh question words:

Why are you late?
When will you finish writing your homework?
Why did you lend him 100 dollars?
Where are you going?
Who are you going with?

(Learn all wh question words)

c. Interrogative sentences asking direct questions with modal verbs:

Can you lift 50 kilograms?
Will you go to the market?
Could you give me your pen?
Shall I go with you?
Should I help the poor?

3. Interrogative sentence doesn't ask an indirect question: An indirect question is a type of question used in the form of either a statement or an order or with another direct question. Look at the sentences containing indirect questions:

a. Indirect questions in forms of statements:

I wonder how this little kid can speak English fast.
He asks her if she listens to music.
I wonder why you're late today.

b. Indirect questions in forms of orders:

Show me how I can do it.
Please tell which book I should read.
Ask John if he likes juice.

c. Indirect questions with a direct question:

Could you please inform me who I should contact?
Can you please tell me how I can do it?
Will you tell me why this works this way?

4. An interrogative sentence ends in a question mark (?) or rising voice: In writing, an interrogative sentence ends in a question mark, whereas it ends in the rising voice in speaking.

Interrogative Sentence Examples:

Can you help me please?
Do you like movies?
Have you seen the Titanic movie?
Why are you late today?
Could you please show me whom I should contact?

More Examples of Interrogative Sentences

Here are a few more interrogative sentence examples. All of the interrogative sentence examples contain all types of questions such as information-based questions and yes-no questions starting with wh question words, auxiliary verbs and modal verbs.

Look at the following examples of interrogative sentence.

1. Where you going?

2. Why do you think so?

3. When does she go to bed?

4. Which book do they like most?

5. Who is he talking to?

6. Are you free today?

7. Were they present at the conference?

8. Has she submitted her homework?

9. Had he gone before she came?

10. Is he married?

11. Can you help me please?

12. Would you open the door?

13. Could you lend me your book?

14. Shall I go with him?

15. Should I see a doctor?

Types of Interrogative Sentence

Like a declarative sentence, an interrogative sentence is classed into two kinds:

1. Affirmative Interrogative Sentence

2. Negative Interrogative Sentence

1. An affirmative interrogative sentence is a type of interrogative sentence which asks a question, starts with a wh word, auxiliary verb or modal verb, doesn't contain negative words such as 'no', 'never' or 'not'.

Affirmative Interrogative Sentence Examples:

Why are you going to the market?
Are you busy today?
Can you lift 50 kilograms?

2. A negative interrogative sentence is a type of interrogative sentence which asks a question, starts with a wh word, auxiliary verb or modal verb and contains negative words such as 'no', 'never' or 'not'.

Negative Interrogative Sentence Examples:

Why are you not going to the market?
Is he no one to you?
Can you never lift 100 kilograms?

Note:- A declarative sentence can be used to ask a question in both writing and speaking as in "John has left the home?".

Imperative VS Interrogative Sentence

An imperative sentence structure is verb + any other element. It functions as an order. It's used with a hidden subject.

Imperative sentence examples:

1. Leave now.

2. Do it quickly.

3. Get it packed for me.

On the other hand, An interrogative sentence is a type of sentence that is used to ask a direct question, and not indirect question. Interrogative sentences end in question marks (?). The word order or structure of interrogative sentences is wh question word/auxiliary verb/modal verb + subject + verb + any other element.

Interrogative sentence examples:

1. Is John your friend?

2. Can you help me please?

3. Why do they not care about you?

Interrogative Sentence VS Declarative Sentence

An interrogative sentence structure is wh word/auxiliary verb/modal verb + subject + verb + any other element. An interrogative sentence is used to ask a question. It ends with a question mark.

Interrogative sentence examples:

1. Why are you late today?

2. Do you know him?

3. Can you help me please?

On the other hand, a declarative sentence structure is subject + verb + any other element. It makes a declaration. It's used with an explicit subject. It ends with a full stop or period.

Declarative sentence examples:

1. John is my close friend.

2. I love my daughter very much.

3. He will never forgive you.

Exclamatory VS Interrogative Sentence

An exclamatory sentence structure is what + noun + subject + verb or how + adjective + subject + verb. An exclamatory, also known as exclamative sentence, is used to express surprise. It ends with a exclamation mark.

Exclamatory sentence examples:

1. What an idiot person you are!

2. How beautiful she is!

Interrogative sentence examples:

1. Is John your best friend?

2. Why do you care about her?

3. Can you go with him?

FAQs - Interrogative Sentence

What is an interrogative sentence?

An interrogative sentence is a type of sentence that is used to ask a direct question, and not indirect question. Interrogative sentences end in question marks (?). The word order or structure of interrogative sentences is wh question word/auxiliary verb/modal verb + subject + verb + any other element.