Interrogative pronouns

What

We use ‘what’ to ask questions about people or things (objects):

• What is your name?
• What are your eating?
• What is the capital of Brazil?
• What is your sister’s name?

Which

Used to ask questions about people or things (objects) when a choice between two or more options is given or a number of items or responses is expected.

• Which books did you read when you were at school?
• Which colour do you prefer – red or blue?
• Which is faster – a lion or a panther?
• Which sports do you play?

Who

Who is used to ask questions about people

• Who wants ice-cream?
• Who is that woman dressed in black?
• Who wrote ‘War and Peace’?
• Who is he married to?

Whom

Whom is used when we refer to the object or a verb or preposition. (see the Quick Tip Video). Although it is used less and less in spoken English it is worth understanding its use in written English.

• Whom did you talk to at the meeting?
• To whom is that letter addressed?
• Ask the receptionist whom to contact.
• Whom does Maria live with?

Whose

Whose is used to ask questions about possession.

• Whose keys are these?
• I didn’t see whose car it was that was damaged in the accident.
• Whose dog is that outside the shop?
• Do you know whose number I should call?

Interrogative pronouns + suffix ‘-ever‘ or ‘-soever‘

Interrogative pronouns sometimes take the suffix –ever or –soever (not often used in contemporary English).

For example:

• Whatever
• Whatsoever
• Whichever
• Whoever
• Whosoever
• Whomever
• Whomsoever
• Whosever