Grammar: A1 - Sentence Structure - Basics - Lesson 7: Wh- Questions with 'be'

Grammar: Wh- Questions with 'be'

A1 Lesson 7: Asking for Information

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to ask for information using the question words What, Who, Where, When, and How with the verb 'be'.

Asking for Information

Yes/No questions are useful, but sometimes we need more information. To do this, we use special question words. Because many of them start with "Wh", they are often called Wh- Questions.

The Grammar Rule 📖

The rule is simple: the question word always comes first, before the verb 'be'.

Question Word + am/is/are + Subject...?

Example: Where is the market?

Common Question Words

Here are the five most common question words used with the verb 'be'.

🤔 What - For a Thing

Q: What is that?
A: It is a coconut.

🗣️ Who - For a Person

Q: Who is she?
A: She is my sister.

📍 Where - For a Place

Q: Where are the temples?
A: They are north of the city.

⏰ When - For a Time

Q: When is dinner?
A: It is at 7 PM.

❓ How - For a Condition

Q: How are you today?
A: I am happy.

In Conversation

Let's see how these questions are used in a real conversation in Siem Reap.

Tourist: Excuse me, where is Pub Street?

Local: It is just over there. Very close.

Tourist: Great! And what is that beautiful building?

Local: That is an old pagoda.

Tourist: Wonderful. Thank you! How are you today?

Local: I'm very well, thank you!

Practice Your Grammar 🎯

Exercise: Choose the Right Word

Choose the correct question word to complete the questions.

1. ___ is that woman? → She is my mother.
   → Who
2. ___ is the weather today? → It is hot.
   → How
3. ___ is the Durian Roundabout? → It is in Kampot.
   → Where
4. ___ is your birthday? → It is in May.
   → When
5. ___ is that on the table? → It is a book.
   → What

Your Grammar Mission ⭐

Meet a New Friend

Imagine you are meeting a new person. Write three "Wh-" questions you could ask them to get more information.

Example: What is your favorite food? Where are you from?

Key Vocabulary

• Information (Noun) | ព័ត៌មាន
  Facts or details about someone or something.
• Question Word (Noun) | ពាក្យសំណួរ
  A word used to ask for information (e.g., Who, What, Where).