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The interrogative form

Constructing the interrogative form is not very difficult in English. You just need to learn a few simple rules

The interrogative form 1

Interrogative of 'normal' (non-auxiliary) verbs

 For ‘normal’ verbs (verbs that are not auxiliary verbs like ‘to be’, ‘to have’), the interrogative is formed with the auxiliary do/does/did.

After do/does or did, the main verb is used in the infinitive without to:

    • Do you speak German?
    • Does Rebecca live in Paris?
    • Did Andrew visit Adolfo in Rome?
    • Did they like the meal last night?

Interrogative of auxiliary verbs

If the verb is an auxiliary verb (e.g. ‘to be’, ‘to have’), the interrogative is formed without the auxiliary do/does/did:

    • Have Peter and Louisa been to Rome?
    • Can I ask you a question?
    • Are you Spanish?

Inverting the auxiliary to form the interrogative

The interrogative sentence is formed by inverting  (changing the position) the first auxiliary verb:

Maria is lucky.
Is Maria lucky?

You can swim.
Can you swim?