Hook

How do you ask someone what they’re doing right now, or find out if they’re doing something specific?

Notice

Look at these questions:

  • What are you doing? — I’m cooking dinner.
  • Is she sleeping? — Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.
  • Are they studying? — Yes, they are.
  • Why is he laughing?

Rule

Yes/No questions: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing?

  • Is he working? — Yes, he is. / No, he isn’t.

Wh- questions: Wh-word + am/is/are + subject + verb-ing?

  • What are you doing?
  • Why is she crying?

Practice

  1. Make a question: she / read (Answer: Is she reading?)
  2. Make a question with “what”: you / do (Answer: What are you doing?)
  3. Answer: Is he sleeping? (No) (Answer: No, he isn’t.)
  4. Answer: Are they playing? (Yes) (Answer: Yes, they are.)
  5. Make a question: why / she / laugh (Answer: Why is she laughing?)

Connect

Practice question word order with our Pattern Hunt game.

Try the Pattern Hunt Game →

CEFR A1: Spoken Interaction — can ask and answer simple questions about current actions.

Azizul Hakim
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