Types of Interrogative Sentences

Introduction to Interrogative Sentences

ଓଡ଼ିଆ: ପ୍ରଶ୍ନବାଚକ ବାକ୍ୟଗୁଡ଼ିକ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ପଚାରିବା ପାଇଁ ବ୍ୟବହୃତ ହୁଏ। ଏହା ବକ୍ତାଙ୍କର କିଛି ଜାଣିବାକୁ ଥିବା ଇଚ୍ଛାକୁ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରେ।

An interrogative sentence (ପ୍ରଶ୍ନବାଚକ ବାକ୍ୟ) is a type of sentence that asks a question. Its primary function is to seek information or confirmation from the listener or reader. All interrogative sentences end with a question mark (?).

Types of Interrogative Sentences

ଓଡ଼ିଆ: ପ୍ରଶ୍ନବାଚକ ବାକ୍ୟ ମୁଖ୍ୟତଃ ଦୁଇ ପ୍ରକାରର: 'ହଁ-ନାହିଁ' ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ (Yes-no questions) ଏବଂ 'Wh-' ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ (Wh-questions)।

Interrogative sentences are broadly classified into two main types based on the kind of answer they expect:

1. Yes-no Questions
2. Wh-questions

1. Yes-no Questions

ଓଡ଼ିଆ: ଏହି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନଗୁଡ଼ିକର ଉତ୍ତର କେବଳ 'ହଁ' କିମ୍ବା 'ନାହିଁ' ରେ ଦିଆଯାଏ। ଏଗୁଡ଼ିକ ସାଧାରଣତଃ ଏକ ସହାୟକ କ୍ରିୟା (auxiliary verb) ସହିତ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୁଏ।

Yes-no questions are interrogative sentences that can be answered simply with a 'yes' or a 'no'. They are typically formed by placing an auxiliary verb (ସହାୟକ କ୍ରିୟା) at the beginning of the sentence, before the subject.

Formation Rules:

• With an Auxiliary Verb: If the declarative (ବିବୃତ୍ତିମୂଳକ) sentence already contains an auxiliary verb (e.g., is, are, was, were, has, have, had, can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must), move the auxiliary verb to the beginning of the sentence.
  • Example: Statement: It is raining.
  • Question: Is it raining? [[1]]
• Without an Auxiliary Verb: If the declarative sentence does not have an auxiliary verb, use the appropriate form of the 'do' verb (do, does, did) at the beginning of the sentence. Remember that when 'do', 'does', or 'did' is used, the main verb (ମୁଖ୍ୟ କ୍ରିୟା) must be in its base form (ମୂଳ ରୂପ).
  • Example: Statement: You like sweets.
  • Question: Do you like sweets? [[1]]
  • Example: Statement: Hari reads well.
  • Question: Does Hari read well? (NOT: Does Hari reads well?) [[3]]
  • Example: Statement: Kamalini broke the glass.
  • Question: Did Kamalini break the glass? (NOT: Did Kamalini broke glass?) [[3]]

Worked Example: Convert the statement Kajal can solve the problem. into a Yes-no question.

• Step 1: Identify the auxiliary verb. Here, it is can.
• Step 2: Move the auxiliary verb to the beginning of the sentence.
• Step 3: Add a question mark.
• Result: Can Kajal solve the problem? [[3]]

2. Wh-questions

ଓଡ଼ିଆ: ଏହି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନଗୁଡ଼ିକ 'Wh-' ଶବ୍ଦ ସହିତ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୁଏ ଏବଂ ଏଥିରେ 'ହଁ' କିମ୍ବା 'ନାହିଁ' ବ୍ୟତୀତ ଅଧିକ ସୂଚନା ଆବଶ୍ୟକ ହୁଏ।

Wh-questions are interrogative sentences that require more than a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer. They are used to gather specific information and typically begin with a 'Wh-word'.

Common Wh-words:

• Who: Asks about a person (subject).
• Whom: Asks about a person (object).
• What: Asks about a thing, idea, or action.
• When: Asks about time.
• Where: Asks about place.
• Why: Asks about reason.
• How: Asks about manner or degree.

Formation Rules:

• Place the appropriate Wh-word at the beginning of the sentence.
• Follow the Wh-word with an auxiliary verb (if present) or a 'do' verb, then the subject, and finally the main verb.

Examples:

• Why are you late? [[1]]
• What is your hobby? [[1]]
• How do you go there? [[1]]
• Who is your best friend? (Statement: Dolagovinda is my best friend.) [[6]]
• Where is Narendra? (Statement: Narendra is in Rourkela.) [[6]]
• Why was Meera absent for such a long time? [[8]]

Worked Example: Convert the statement Sanjay likes his profession very much. into a Wh-question asking about how he likes it.

• Step 1: Identify the information to be questioned (very much - manner).
• Step 2: Choose the appropriate Wh-word: How.
• Step 3: Since there is no auxiliary verb, use does (because likes is present simple, third person singular).
• Step 4: Place How + does + subject (Sanjay) + base form of verb (like) + object (his profession).
• Result: How does Sanjay like his profession? [[6]]