WH-QUESTIONS & Frequency ADVERBS
WH-QUESTIONS & Frequency ADVERBS
In this lesson, you are going to learn the Adverb of frequency and WH-questions. The adverb of frequency is a part of English grammar. They help in constructing sentences. WH-questions also help us to express our idea of questions using specific WH-question based on the nature of our sentence or question.
What are adverbs?
Adverbs are a part of speech. Adverbs are words that are used to change, modify or add something into the meaning of words such as an adjective, a verb, a clause, a preposition, adverb itself, or any type of words used in a sentence. They express manner, frequency, and level of accuracy. In short, adverbs describe when, how, why, or in what manner something is happened or happens.
The traditional concept of adverbs is that the words ending with -ly are known as adverbs. This is true to some extent, but some adverbs do not end with -ly but still considered as adverbs. They help in providing a full description or scenario of how, when, or where something happens.
Adverbs of frequency
Words that are used to define how frequently or how often somethings happen are known as adverbs of frequency. The name adverb of frequency refers to the adverb of time. They describe how often something occurs.
Adverb of frequency is further divided into two categories:
- Definite adverbs of frequency
Adverbs which specify the definite frequency or amount of time are known as definite adverbs of frequency. Such as hourly, daily, weekly, yearly.
Example:
- My father goes to university daily.
- Zainab meets her client daily.
- Indefinite adverbs of frequency.
Adverbs that do not specify the frequency or amount of time are known as indefinite adverbs of frequency, such as rarely, sometimes, often, always, or never.
Example:
- I rarely use cellphones.
- I always got to the mosque.
Let’s have a closer look at adverbs of frequency.
Some of the common adverbs of frequency include:
FREQUENCY | ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY | EXAMPLE |
100% | Always | She always achieves good grades. |
90% | Usually | I usually have tea at breakfast. |
80% | Normally | Harry normally goes to the gym. |
70% | Often | She often forgets her mobile. |
50% | Sometimes | We sometimes go to the park. |
30% | Occasionally | He occasionally attends parties. |
10% | Seldom | They seldom read newspapers. |
5% | Rarely | I rarely eat rice. |
0% | Never | He never speaks ill. |
Rules for positioning adverbs of frequency
There are some rules for using adverbs of frequency. The position of an adverb in a sentence depends on the syntax and nature of the sentence. Some of the important rules and structure of using adverbs of frequency are mentioned below.
- Adverbs of frequency are used to indicate routine or regular activities; therefore they are mostly used in present simple tense.
- If a sentence has only one main verb, the adverb of frequency is placed in the middle of the subject and verb.
Subject + Adverb of frequency + Verb +Object |
She often spends her time in her house. |
- In to sentence, the adverb of frequency is placed after the verb to be.
Subject +to be verb +Adverb of frequency |
She is never pleased to see harry. |
- If auxiliary verbs are used in a sentence, the adverb of frequency is placed between the auxiliary and the main verb.
Subject + auxiliary verb +Adverb of frequency + main verb |
I would never attend such a party. |
- If a sentence contains two verbs, you have to place an adverb of frequency before the main verb.
Subject + verb +Adverb of frequency + main verb +object |
She has often visited Saudi Arabia. |
- In negative or interrogative sentences, the adverb of frequency is placed before the main verb.
Helping verb + subject+ Adverb of frequency + main verb +object |
Do you always sleep late? |
WH-questions
Sentences that are used to ask something from someone are called questions, where areas statements which tell you or inform you something are called sentences. A question requires an answer. Sentences do not require any answer.
The structure of a question is:
Auxiliary verb + subject main verb +? |
Does she always get late for school? |
Types of question
There are three types of question.
- Yes/No questions :
Questions that require the answer in either yes/no are called yes/no questions.
Example:
- Do you need water? Yes, I do.
- Did they go to university? Yes, they did.
- Was Alexa home? Yes, she was.
- Does she need dinner? Yes, she does.
- Are you home? Yes, I am.
- Choice question:
In some questions, we give our listener a choice to choose between two options. Therefore the answer is mentioned in the question.
Example:
- Do you want milk or tea?
- Are you going to class or the library?
- Does she need a hair clip or pony?
- Do you want a cold drink or coffee?
- Question word questions(WH-question):
Some questions require more than yes or no answer, such questions need informative answers. In such questions, we place the question word before the subject.
The question word expresses the idea of answers it wants.
Question words are known as WH-questions because these words include WH letters.
Formatting WH-questions:
WH-question + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb+? |
Types of WH-questions
Nine WH-question words are used to ask several questions regarding situations.
What: The function of what question word is used to ask informative questions it is often used for confirmation or repetition.
Example: what is your father’s name?
Where: where question word is used to ask for a place or position.
Example: where do you live?
When: When question words are used to ask about time.
Example: when is your next class?
Why: Why question word is used to ask reasons about specific things.
Example: why did you leave earlier today?
Whose: Whose question words are used to ask about the ownership of objects
Example: whose bag is that?
Who: Who question word is used to ask about which or what people. It is used for subjects.
Example: who is that girl?
Whom: Whom question word plays almost the same role as to who, but it is used for objects.
Example: Whom did you see?
Which: Which question word is used to make someone choose between fewer things.
Example: which dress should I wear?
How: How question word is used to ask about the manner, condition, or quality of something, it has several uses such as: how far? How long? How many? How much? How old? Etc.
Example: how long will it take to complete?