Page 79 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

W h - q u e s t i o n s w i t h h o w , w h a t , w h i c h , and w h o
Wh-questions
what,
with
how,
a n d who
which,
Study these sentences:
sentences:
Study
these
-
than
chocolate
ones
or
biscuits
the
the
(rather
Which
did
make
others?
What...?)
you
g • * Which biscuits did you make - the chocolate ones or the others? (rather than What...?)
• * I've got orange juice or apple juice. Which would you prefer? (rather than What...?)
prefer?
got
(rather
than
orange
or
I've
Which
apple
juice.
juice
would
What...?)
you
He just turned away when I asked him. What do you think he meant?
Which...?)
¢
(not
• He just turned away when I asked him. What do you think he meant? (not Which...?)
What do you want to do this weekend?
• What do you want to do this weekend? (not Which...?)
(not
*
Which...?)
We usually use which when we are asking about a fixed or limited number of things or people,
about
when
people,
or
we
number
use
of
things
asking
are
which
limited
We
fixed
or
usually
a
and what when we are not. Often, however, we cancan use either which or what with little
what
what
with
when
however,
Often,
use
which
not.
we
or
and
are
either
little
we
difference in meaning. Compare:
Compare:
difference
in
meaning.
What towns do we go through on the way? (the speaker doesn't know the area) andand
¢
• What towns do we go through on the way? (the speaker doesn't know the area)
• ¢ Which towns do we go through on the way? (the speaker knows the area and the towns in it)
towns
area
towns
it)
the
the
way?
do
the
on
through
knows
speaker
we
go
in
and
Which
(the
: D We usually use who to askask a question about people:
a
usually
use
about
people:
We
to
question
who
; • Who will captain the team if Nick isn't available?
the
captain
Nick
team
if
available?
will
Who
isn't
¢
However, we use which when we want to identify a person or people out of a group (for(for
use
we
which
out
group
or
of
However,
identify
want
when
people
person
a
to
we
a
example, in a crowded room, or on a photograph) and when we ask about particular classes
example, in a crowded room, or on a photograph) and when we ask about particular classes ofof
people. We can use what to ask about a person's job or position:
or
position:
We
about
what
can
person's
people.
job
a
use
ask
to
• ¢ 'Which is your brother?' 'The one next to Ken.'
to
Ken.'
is
'The
next
your
one
‘Which
brother?’
• ¢ Which would you rather be - a doctor or a vet? (or What would...?)
rather
doctor
would
-
What
or
a
Which
would...?)
vet?
you
(or
a
be
• ¢ 'What's your sister?' 'She's a computer programmer.'
sister?’
your
a
programmer.'
'What's
computer
'She's
We use which, not who or what, in questions before one(s)one(s) and of:
or
what,
use
before
in
not
questions
We
who
which,
of:
and
• * Which one of us should tell Jean the news? (ио£ Who one of us...?)
Who
one
us...?)
of
Which one of us should tell Jean the news? (not
• * I've decided to buy one of these sweaters. Which one do you think I should choose? (rather(rather
these
I
to
buy
of
you
do
Which
I've
one
choose?
should
sweaters.
decided
think
one
than What one do you think...?)
you
What
than
do
think...?)
one
• ¢ Which of these drawings was done by you? (not What of...)
of...)
What
Which
drawings
ofthese
(not
was
done
by
you?
• ¢ Which of you would like to go first? (not Who of...)
go
you
first?
(not
of
of...)
Which
to
like
would
Who
ffl When we use who or what as aa subject, the verb that follows is singular, even if a plural answeranswer
subject,
use
When
as
follows
even
a
that
plural
verb
if
singular,
the
we
what
or
who
is
is expected:
expected:
is
Who
wants
•
a number of people)
(said to
a cup of coffee?
a e° Who wants a cup of coffee? (said to a number of people)
What is there to do in Leeds over Christmas?
(expects an answer giving a number of
• « • «¢ What is there to do in Leeds over Christmas? (expects an answer giving a number of
activities)
activities)
of how
use
and what in these questions:
Study the use of how and what in these questions:
Study the
How...)
called?
one
What's
do
What
of
work?
How...)
think
e What's this one called? (not How...) • ¢ What do you think of her work? (not How...)
you
(not
(not
this
her
What is the blue button for? (= What purpose does it have?) (not How...)
(=
(not
How...)
purpose
have?)
the
button
is
for?
does
What
blue
it
What
(= a suggestion)
(or What about...)
How about (having) a swim? (= asking an opinion) What about...) (not How...How...) aa coffee, pleaseplease.
(or
suggestion)
How
(=
a
about
a
(having)
swim?
Reporting questions => details) it? (not How...) an opinion) (not What...What...) ( « ( Milk, no sugar.
What is your brother like?
(= asking what kind of person he is)
kind
what
is
is)
asking
(not
person
(=
What
brother
of
he
like?
your
(= asking about health)
(«of What...
How is your brother?
How is your brother? (= asking about health) (~ot What...)

I'll have
What was the journey like?
the
(=
like?
journey
coffee,
What
have
was
I'll
(not
an
opinion)
asking
(not How.How...)
How was the journey?
(= asking an opinion)
How
(not
was
journey?
the
asking
(=

What do you like about it?
(= asking
do
like
asking
(=
you
What
about
it?
specific
for
for specific details) (not How...)
How do you like
(not What...)
do
How
you
like
What...)
it?
(not
(i)
asking
=
a
= asking for a general opinionopinion
for
(i)
general

HowHow
do/woulddo/would
coffee,
(ii)
=
(ii)
for details aboutabout
details
coffee,
=
askingasking
for
o u
you jike it?

a meat
or
('How
dish
would
tea
tea or a meat dish (‘How would
is also possible)
you like it?'
sugar.
Milk,
no
you like it?' is also possible)
Negative questions =
Reporting questions; GEEKY = Negaive questions =