Wh- Questions in the Past
At B1 you make clear past questions with question words (what, where, when, why, who, how) and the past form of did or was/were. The tricky part is knowing when…
At B1 you make clear past questions with question words (what, where, when, why, who, how) and the past form of did or was/were. The tricky part is knowing when to use did and when not to.
Two main patterns
| Verb type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ordinary verbs | Wh- + did + subject + base verb | Where did you go? |
| the verb ‘be’ | Wh- + was/were + subject | Why were you late? |
After ‘did’, use the base verbThe past is already shown by did, so the main verb goes back to its base form: “Where did you go?” not “Where did you went?” With was/were, there is no “did” at all.
Subject vs object questions
| Type | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Object question | Who did you call? | uses did |
| Subject question | Who called you? | NO did — ‘who’ is the subject |
When the question word (who/what) is the subject, don’t use “did” — just use the past verb: “Who broke the window?”
Examples from EduCareer
- What did you study before this course?
- When did Aisha start learning English?
- Why were you absent yesterday?
- Who taught you grammar? (subject question — no did)
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersUse “did” only once to show the past — then the main verb is in its base form: “What did she say?” (not “did she said”). And with “was/were” questions, never add “did”: “Where were you?” not “Where did you were?”
Common mistakes
- Where did you went? → Where did you go?
- Why did you were late? → Why were you late?
- Who did break the window? (subject) → Who broke the window?
Practise with the 20 questions below.
Check your understanding
Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.
1."Where ___ you go yesterday?"
ordinary verb → did.
2."Where did you ___?"
after did → base verb.
3."Why ___ you late?"
verb 'be' → were, no did.
4."What did she ___?"
after did → base verb.
5.Which is correct?
did + base verb.
6.Which is correct?
was/were, no did.
7."Who ___ you? (you were called) — object question"
object question → did call.
8."Who ___ the window? (subject question)"
subject question → no did.
9."When ___ Aisha start the course?"
ordinary verb → did.
10."How ___ the exam? (your opinion of it)"
'be' → was.
11."What ___ you do last weekend?"
ordinary verb → did.
12.Subject questions with 'who' use:
no did: 'Who came?'
13."Where ___ they born?"
be (passive) → were.
14."Who ___ at the party? (subject)"
subject question → went.
15."What time ___ the class finish?"
ordinary verb → did.
16."How many people ___ there?"
'be' plural → were.
17."Why ___ he leave early?"
ordinary verb → did.
18."Who ___ you the news? (subject)"
subject question → told.
19."What ___ wrong yesterday?" (be)
'be' → was.
20.Which is correct? (subject)
subject question → 'Who won?'
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