What is the purpose of interrogative pronouns in English?
Interrogative pronouns are a type of pronoun used to ask questions. They are typically used to inquire about specific information or details in a sentence. In English, there are five main interrogative pronouns: who, whom, whose, what, and which. Here’s an explanation of each:
1. Who: “Who” is used to ask about people or individuals. It is used when you want to find out the identity of a person or group of people.
– Who is the new teacher?
– Who are those people over there?
2. Whom: “Whom” is also used to inquire about people, but it is used in more formal contexts and as the object of a sentence. It is less commonly used in casual conversation.
– Whom did you invite to the party?
– To whom should I address this letter?
3. Whose: “Whose” is used to ask about possession or ownership. It helps you find out who something belongs to.
– Whose book is this?
– Whose car is parked in front of the house?
4. What: “What” is a versatile interrogative pronoun used to inquire about things, actions, or general information. It is used when you want to know more about an object, action, or idea.
– What is your favorite color?
– What are you doing this weekend?
5. Which: “Which” is used when you want to choose between a limited set of options or alternatives. It is often used to ask someone to make a selection from a specific group.
– Which movie do you want to watch?
– Which shirt should I wear to the party?
Interrogative pronouns are essential for asking questions and gathering information in both written and spoken communication. By using the appropriate interrogative pronoun, you can formulate clear and precise questions to obtain the specific information you need.