Lesson

What...? Which...? How...?

Wh- questions basics

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

What...? Which...? How...?

This lesson explains how to use the question words 'what', 'which' and 'how' to ask for information. These words help you request identification, make selections among options, and ask about manner, degree or frequency. Understanding the difference is essential for clear questions in business and everyday contexts.

  • 'What' asks for general information or identification.
  • 'Which' asks for a specific choice among a limited set of options.
  • 'How' asks about manner, method, degree, frequency, or condition.

Table

Question words: What / Which / How

Question Word Use Example
What General identification; ask for information or definition. Can be followed by a noun. What is the deadline? / What time is the meeting?
Which Selection among a specific set of options; often before a noun or followed by 'of'. Which candidate do you prefer? / Which of these reports is final?
How Manner, method, degree, frequency, or condition. Combine with adjectives/adverbs or with 'many/much'. How did you complete the analysis? / How often do you send invoices?

Tip

Key rule: Choose the right question word

Decide whether you need identification, a specific choice, or information about manner/degree.

  • Use 'what' for general facts or when there is no defined set of options: What is your role?
  • Use 'which' when a choice is required from a limited set: Which calendar do you use?
  • Use 'how' to ask about manner, method, frequency or degree: How often do you review performance?

Word order: Question word + auxiliary + subject + main verb (e.g., How did you complete the report?).

Example

Examples in context

What is the client's deadline for the proposal?

Which version of the document should I send to the team?

How did you calculate the quarterly forecast?

How often do you update the project status report?

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch for these universal errors when forming questions with 'what', 'which' and 'how'.

  • Incorrect word order: Forgetting the auxiliary (e.g., 'What you want?' → Correct: 'What do you want?').
  • Using 'which' when there are no clear options: Use 'what' instead if choices are not defined.
  • Confusing 'how many' and 'how much' for countable vs uncountable nouns.
  • Placing 'what' before 'of' incorrectly (e.g., 'What of these?' → Correct: 'Which of these?').
  • Omitting necessary question words (e.g., asking 'Do you prefer the blue or grey?' without 'which' can be unclear).

Always check subject-auxiliary order and whether the question expects a choice or general information.

Quiz

Choose the correct question that asks about method:

Hint: Focus on words that ask for manner or method.

Quiz

Complete: _____ method did you use to analyze the data?

Hint: Think about questions that require choosing among options.

Quiz

Choose the best question for this answer: 'By email.'

Hint: Which question word asks about method or manner?

Key Points

GrammarPoint

what

question word CEFR A2 //wɒt//

A question word used to ask for general information or identification.

What is the client's budget?

GrammarPoint

which

question word CEFR B1 //wɪtʃ//

A question word used to ask for a choice among a limited set of options.

Which candidate will present the results?

GrammarPoint

how

question word CEFR A2 //haʊ//

A question word used to ask about manner, method, degree, frequency, or condition.

How do you usually submit invoices?

Vocabulary

method

noun CEFR B1 //ˈmɛθəd//

A way of doing something; a systematic procedure.

We used a statistical method to analyze the data.

Vocabulary

option

noun CEFR B1 //ˈɒpʃən//

A choice or alternative among a set of possibilities.

Please indicate your preferred option on the form.

Vocabulary

prefer

verb CEFR A2 //prɪˈfɜːr//

To like one thing more than another.

Which format do you prefer for the presentation?