Use of What, Who, How, Lesson 16

“What,” “who,” and “how” are three question words that are commonly used in English to ask for information. Each of these words has a specific purpose and usage, as explained below:

1. “What”: This question word is used to ask about things, objects, actions, or ideas. For example:

• What is your favorite food?
• What time is it?
• What are you doing this weekend?
• What do you think about the movie?

As you can see from these examples, “what” is used to inquire about something that can be described or named. It can also be used in indirect questions, such as “Can you tell me what time it is?” or “Do you know what she likes to eat?”

2. “Who”: This question word is used to ask about people or animals. For example:

• Who is your best friend?
• Who is the president of the United States?
• Who let the dogs out?
• Who ate all the cookies?

“Who” is used to ask for a person’s identity or to find out who is responsible for something. It can also be used in indirect questions, such as “I wonder who she’s talking to?” or “Do you know who owns that car?”

3. “How”: This question word is used to ask about the manner, method, or condition of something. For example:

• How are you feeling today?
• How do I get to the library?
• How much does it cost?
• How long will it take to finish the project?

As you can see from these examples, “how” is used to inquire about the way something is done or the state or condition of something. It can also be used in indirect questions, such as “Could you tell me how to make lasagna?” or “Do you know how long it takes to drive to the beach?”

In summary, “what,” “who,” and “how” are essential question words in English that can help you gather information and communicate effectively. By using them appropriately, you can ask for the information you need and clarify your understanding of a situation or concept.

Use of What

• Q. What do you want?
• A. A glass of milk.
• Q. What are you writing?
• A. A letter.
• Q. What do you want to say?
• A. Nothing.
• Q. What’s your name?
• A. Mohammed Khalid.
• Q. What’s your father?
• A. He’s an editor.
• Q. What’s your mother?
• A. She is a housewife.
• Q. What are you doing these days?
• A. Studying.
• Q. What have you seen in Agra?
• A. The Tai Mahal.
• Q. What did you write to your father?
• A. About my result.
• Q. What was she doing in Mumbai?
• A. She was teaching in a primary school.
• Q. What do you intend doing after passing High School?
• A. I  w’ll study further.

Use of Who

• Q. Who are you?
• A. I am a businessman.
• Q. Who are they?
• A. They are my relatives.
• Q. Who sang the song?
• A. Leta did.
• Q. Who will go to the market?
• A. I will.
• Q. Who can do this work?
• A. Ahmad can.
• Q. Whom does she want to meet?
• A. Her mother.
• Q. Who is the owner of this house?
• A. My father.

Use of How

• Q. How does he go to school?
• A. By bus.
• Q. How is your father?
• A. He’s not well.
• How did you go to Shimla?
• A. By train.
• Q. How was your health in Shimla?
• A. I was perfectly alright there.
• Q. How was the weather there?
• A. It was quite cold.
• Q. How old is your son?
• A. He’s twelve.
• Q. How far is Murree from here?
• A. About six kilometres.
• Q. How are you feeling now?
• A. A much better.

A	B
What do you say? What did you say? What had you said? What is this? What was that?	I do not know what you say. I do not remember what you said. I do not remember what you had said. Tell me, what this is. Tell me, what that was.

A	B
I do not Know who he is. Tell me whom you want. Tell me whose book that was. I do not know how old you are. Tell me how she knew. You did not say whom you had promised.	Who is he? Whom do you want? Whose book was that? How old are you? How did she know? Whom had you promised?