Definition and Examples of Interrogatives in English

Definition and Examples of Interrogatives in English In English grammar, an interrogative (pronounced in-te-ROG-a-tiv) is a word that introduces a question  which cant be simply answered with yes or no. Also known as an interrogative word. Interrogatives are sometimes called question  words because of their function, or wh- words because of their most common initial letters:  who (with whom and whose), what, where, when, why, . . . and how).  Ã‚   A sentence that asks a question (whether or not it contains an interrogative word) is called an interrogative sentence. Etymology: From the Latin, to ask Examples and Observations Thomas Klammer and Muriel SchulzInterrogatives begin direct questions. In addition to signaling that a question will follow, each plays some grammatical role in the sentence that it begins. . . . Interrogatives also function to introduce indirect questions.Edward de BonnoIf you never change your mind, why have one?Charles De GaulleHow can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?Phil EverlyIve been cheated, been mistreatedWhen will I be loved?William FaulknerWhat are you talking so loud for Nancy? Caddy said.Who, me? Nancy said.And these last fifty thousand hours? These have been spent studying the sword?William GoldmanInigo nodded.Where?Wherever I could find a master. Venice, Bruge, Budapest.Rosa ParksHe pointed at me and said, that one wont stand up. The two policemen came near me and only one spoke to me. He asked me if the driver had asked me to stand up? I said, yes. He asked me why I didnt stand up. I told him I didnt think I should have to stand up. So I asked hi m: Why do you push us around? And he told me, I dont know, but the law is the law and you are under arrest. Walker PercyWhat is the malaise? you ask. The malaise is the pain of loss. The world is lost to you, the world and the people in it, and there remains only you and the world and you no more able to be in the world than Banquos ghost. Subordinating Conjunctions and Interrogative Words James R. Hurford[S]ome, but not all, subordinating conjunctions can also occur as interrogative words, e.g. when and where. Thus when is a subordinating conjunction in I was here when you came; but it is an interrogative word in When did you come?...Some exclamations begin with the words what and how, which are also interrogative words. Examples of their use in exclamations are What a lovely baby that is! and How prettily it gurgles! But these are not interrogative sentences. Moving to Why Mitchell Stevens[N]ow that who, what, when, and where  have been cheapened by overexposure on the Internet, why has gained value. It requires thought. It sometimes requires expertise. Yet it provides an element often missing in traditional  journalism: an explanation. When applied to sources,  . . . the why enables journalists to get beyond a simple stenographic report of who is asserting what. It enables them to move toward deeper understanding.