To complete your delivery mission, you need to ask for directions and decode messages correctly! Remember to keep your previously studied tenses in mind – matching the right auxiliary verb (do, be, have) to the tense is the secret code to building accurate questions:
- Present Simple and Present Continuous (Progressive);
- Past Simple;
- Past Continuous (Progressive);
- Simple Future.
| Tense | Main Usage | Auxiliary Verb(s) |
| Simple Present | Routines, habits, facts | do / does |
| Present Continuous | Actions happening right now | am / is / are |
| Simple Past | Completed actions in the past | did |
| Past Continuous | Actions in progress in the past | was / were |
| Simple Future | Predictions, future plans, quick decisions | will |
| Modal Verbs (can, must, should, etc.) | Ability, obligation, advice, possibility | The modal verb itself acts as the auxiliary |
English has three main types of questions, each serving a different purpose
1. Yes / No Questions
These are simple questions that expect a "yes" or "no" answer. They always start with an auxiliary (helping) verb, like Do, Does, Did, Is, Are, Will, Have, Can. In short answers, always use the same auxiliary verb that was used in the question.
Structure:
Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb + ... ?
Example:
Do you have the package? – Yes, I do. I have it in may bag.
Is the ferry leaving now? – No, it isn't. It leaves in 10 minutes.
2. Wh- Questions (Information Questions)
Use these when you need specific details. They start with a question word followed by an auxiliary verb.
Structure:
Structure:
Question word + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb + ... ?
Where is the delivery driver? – He is at the warehouse.
When does the flight land? – It lands at 5 PM.
Essential Question Words (Wh- Words):
Who — persons (personas): Who is the pilot? – Captain Sarah is the pilot.
What — items/actions (lietas/darbības): What are you carrying? – I'm carrying a top-secret package.
Where — places (vietas): Where is the submarine? – It is under the water near the island.
When — time (laiks): When will you arrive? – I will arrive tomorrow morning.
Why — reason (iemesls): Why is the train delayed? – Because there is heavy snow on the tracks.
Which — choice from several options (izvēle no vairākiem): Which vehicle is faster? – The sports car is faster than the van.
How — method/technique (veids/paņēmiens): How do we cross the river? – We cross it by ferry.
How much / How many — quantity (daudzums):
Who — persons (personas): Who is the pilot? – Captain Sarah is the pilot.
What — items/actions (lietas/darbības): What are you carrying? – I'm carrying a top-secret package.
Where — places (vietas): Where is the submarine? – It is under the water near the island.
When — time (laiks): When will you arrive? – I will arrive tomorrow morning.
Why — reason (iemesls): Why is the train delayed? – Because there is heavy snow on the tracks.
Which — choice from several options (izvēle no vairākiem): Which vehicle is faster? – The sports car is faster than the van.
How — method/technique (veids/paņēmiens): How do we cross the river? – We cross it by ferry.
How much / How many — quantity (daudzums):
How much time do we have? – We have thirty minutes.
How many stops are left? – There are only two stops left.
3. Subject Questions
These ask who or what performs the action. Because the question word (Who or What) is the subject itself, it is not necessary to use extra auxiliary (helping) verbs (do/does/did) in the Present or Past Simple.
Structure:
Who / What + main verb + ... ?
Example:
Who has the map? – Agent Alex has it. / Agent Alex does.
What happened to the delivery van? – It broke down on the bridge. / An engine failure happened.