wh question: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Although 'how' doesn't start with 'wh-', it functions identically to other wh-words (who, what, etc.) by requesting specific information (manner, method, condition) and triggering the same syntactic structures in question formation. The category name is based on the prototypical members.

In a subject wh-question (e.g., 'Who called?'), the wh-word replaces the subject, and no auxiliary inversion is needed. In an object wh-question (e.g., 'Who did you call?'), the wh-word replaces the object, and subject-auxiliary inversion (or do-support) is required.

Mostly, but not all. For example, 'Whether' begins with 'wh-' but introduces a yes/no question embedded in a clause ('I wonder whether she'll come'). The core wh-questions are those that request specific, open-ended information.

It is a meta-linguistic term. Beginner students need to learn how to *use* question words, but they don't need the term itself. The term becomes useful for intermediate learners and above, especially when discussing grammar rules or for teachers and linguists.

A question introduced by a word beginning with 'wh-' (such as who, what, when, where, why, which) or how, requiring a response with specific information rather than just 'yes' or 'no'.

Wh question is usually academic / pedagogical / technical in register.

Wh question: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʌbəljuː ˈeɪtʃ kwes.tʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʌbəlju ˈeɪtʃ kwes.tʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.