October 31, 2008

Interrogative Pronouns

The Pronouns that are used for asking questions are called Interrogative Pronouns.

Example:

Whom do you want?
What is the matter?
Which is the pen?

In the following sentences, Interrogative Pronouns are used in asking indirect questions:

She does not know who is there.
Ask what she wants.

Who is used of persons only, which is used of both persons and things and what is used of things only.

Examples:

Who is knocking at the door?
Which is your best friend? Which are your clothes?
What do you want?

Note: In such expressions as, "What are you?" "What is he?" the word what does not refer to the person but to his or her profession or employment.

Question: What are you?
Answer: I am a doctor.

Question: What is she?
Answer: She is an architect.

Which and what are also used as Interrogative Adjectives; as,

Which book are you reading?
What pranks are you playing?

In the following sentences, the words in italics are used as Compound Interrogative Pronouns:

Whoever told you so?
Whatever is she doing?
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