Question 1

How do question patterns change across tenses?

Accepted Answer

The position pattern stays similar, but the helper verb changes with the tense. Present simple uses do or does, past simple uses did, continuous tenses use a form of be, and perfect tenses use have or has. For example, say "Where does she work?", "When did he arrive?", "What were you doing?", and "Have they finished?" The helper comes before the subject. After do, does or did, the main verb uses the base form, so "Did he go?" is correct.

Question 2

Where do time and place phrases go in intermediate questions?

Accepted Answer

Time and place phrases usually come after the main verb phrase and object. In "What were you doing yesterday evening?", the time phrase comes at the end. In "Where does she go to work?", the place or destination phrase follows the main verb. The beginning of the question is reserved for the question word, helper verb and subject. If you put a long time phrase between the helper and subject, the question becomes hard to read and usually ungrammatical.

Question 3

What is a common mistake with does and did in questions?

Accepted Answer

A common mistake is using the third-person or past form twice. After "does", use the base verb: "Does she work?", not "Does she works?" After "did", also use the base verb: "Did he arrive?", not "Did he arrived?" The helper already carries the tense or person information. This is why word order and verb form must be checked together. Put the helper before the subject, then keep the main verb in the correct form after it.

Question Formation Intermediate Word Order Exercises

Quick Rule

Continue Practising

Basic SVO Statements

SVOMPT Statements

Adverbs of Frequency - Easy

-ed vs -ing Adjectives

Conditionals

Present Perfect