Mastering question phrases allows you to combine words like what and how with nouns, adjectives, and adverbs to ask detailed questions and make suggestions in English.
What is a Question Phrase?
What and how can combine with other words to form phrases. What can come before a noun.
- What time is the next train?~ Ten eleven.
- What colour shirt was he wearing? ~ Blue, I think.
- What kind of/type of/sort of computer have you got? ~ Oh, it's just a desktop machine.
- What make is your car? ~ It's a BMW.
How to Use What About and How About
We use what about/how about to draw attention to something or to make a suggestion.
- What about/How about all this rubbish? Who's going to take it away?
- What about/How about some lunch? ~ Good idea.
How Can Come Before an Adjective or an Adverb
How can come before an adjective or an adverb.
- How old is this building? ~ About two hundred years old.
- Howfar did you walk? ~ Miles.
- How often does the machine need servicing? ~ Once a year.
- How long can you stay? ~ Not long, I'm afraid.
How Many and How Much
It can also come before many or much.
- How many people live in the building? ~ Twelve.
- How much is the cheap ticket? ~ Fifteen pounds seventy-five.
How come all these papers have been left here?~ I'm in the middle of sorting them out.
Key Takeaways
- What can come directly before nouns to ask specific questions about time, color, kind, or make.
- What about and how about are useful for drawing attention to matters or making casual suggestions.
- How can precede adjectives, adverbs, many, and much to inquire about degree, quantity, frequency, or distance.
- How come functions as an informal alternative to why without using subject-verb inversion.
Quick Practice
Write your answers in the comments below:
- Complete the question: "______ time is the next train?"
- Make a suggestion using "How about..." based on what you learned today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between what and how in question phrases?
What generally comes before nouns (such as time, colour, or make), whereas how typically comes before adjectives, adverbs, many, and much.
How do you use what about and how about?
We use both phrases to draw attention to something specific or to make a suggestion to someone.
Is there any special rule for how come?
Yes, how come is an informal phrase that means 'why', and it does not use subject-verb inversion.