Wh- Questions in the Past Simple Tense

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You can ask Wh- questions in the past tense.[1]https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/grammar-rules/verbs/the-past-simple-tense/

Wh- question words include:

  • What
  • Where
  • When
  • Why
  • Who
  • How

These types of questions require more information than a simple Yes or No answer.

When asking Wh- questions, you need to add the word “did”.

wh- questions

What

You can use “what” to ask for information.[2]https://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/wh-question-words.htm

For example:

  • What did
    you do?
  • What did
    she say?

You can also use “what” to ask for someone to repeat what they said.

For example:

  • Sorry, I can’t hear you. What did you say?

Where

You can use “where” to ask for the position of something or someone.

For example:

  • Where
    did they go?
  • Where
    did Sam live?

When

You can use “when” to ask about time.

For example:

  • When did
    the meeting start?
  • When did
    the plane arrive?

Why

You can use “why” to ask for the reason.

For example:

  • Why
    did they not call back?
  • Why did
    he not study for the test?

Who

You can use “who” to ask for which person or persons did an action.

For example:

  • Who
    did that?
  • Who
    did you call?

How

You can use “how” to ask about manner.

For example:

  • How
    did this work?
  • How
    did they do that?

You can also use “how” to ask about quality or condition.

For example:

  • How did
    you do on the test?
  • How
    did it go?

Wh- Questions with “to be”

You can also ask Wh- questions in the past simple tense with the verb “to be”.[3]https://www.oysterenglish.com/past-simple.html

wh- questions

For example:

  • What was
    in the box?
  • Where were
    they?
  • When did
    they get back?
  • Who was
    at the door?
  • How was
    class?

Practice Exercises

 10%

Question 1 of 10

1. A: ______ did he say?
B: He said that he would be late.

Question 1 of 10

Question 2 of 10

2. A: ______ was the meal?
B: It was very tasty.

Question 2 of 10

Question 3 of 10

3. A: ______ did they do yesterday?
B: They went shopping.

Question 3 of 10

Question 4 of 10

4. A: ______ ate my pizza?
B: Susie ate it.

Question 4 of 10

Question 5 of 10

5. A: ______ did you eat dinner?
B: I ate it a few hours ago.

Question 5 of 10

Question 6 of 10

6. A: ______ did she get here?
B: She took the bus.

Question 6 of 10

Question 7 of 10

7. A: ______ did the plane land?
B: It landed at 4:30 pm.

Question 7 of 10

Question 8 of 10

8. A: ______ did they not call?
B: They were busy.

Question 8 of 10

Question 9 of 10

9. A: ______ was that?
B: It was nothing.

Question 9 of 10

Question 10 of 10

10. A: ______ was your 4th grade teacher?
B: She was Mrs. Smith.

Question 10 of 10


 

How did you do?

If some of these questions were tricky don’t worry — this is one of the topics that confuses English learners the most.

Sometimes reading alone isn’t enough. A private one on one lesson can clear up any confusion quickly and help you use this grammar naturally and confidently.

book an english lesson

References[+]