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Question Order (Medium) — Past Simple & Continuous Questions

A2-B1 Level

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Once you know how to form present simple questions, the next step is questions with past tenses and modal verbs. For past simple questions, replace 'do/does' with did: 'Did you enjoy the film?' 'Where did they go last weekend?' The main verb returns to its base form — say 'Did she go?' not 'Did she went?' For past questions with 'be,' swap the subject and verb: 'Was he at home?' 'Were they late?'

Present continuous questions follow the same swap as 'be' questions: 'Is she working today?' 'What are you doing?' For modal verbs (can, could, will, would, should), put the modal before the subject with no extra helper needed: 'Can you swim?' 'Would they like some tea?' 'Should I wait?' A common error is adding 'did' before a modal: 'Did you can see it?' is wrong — the correct form is 'Could you see it?' Modals act as their own helpers, so they never need 'do,' 'does,' or 'did' alongside them.

Quick Rule

Did + subject + base verb? | Was/Were + subject + ...? | Modal (can/could/will/should) + subject + base verb?

1.Did you enjoy the concert last night? (past simple — 'did' before subject, base verb)
2.Was she working when you arrived? (past continuous — 'was' before subject)
3.Can he speak any other languages? (modal — no extra helper needed)
4.Where did they go on holiday? (wh- + past simple question)
5.Why couldn't we find the restaurant? (negative modal — past form of 'can')