Subject and Object Questions helps you communicate about identifying agents and receivers of actions. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can distinguish questions about the subject from questions about the object.
- Recognise and build the form: subject question: wh + verb; object question: wh + auxiliary + subject + base.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Subject and Object Questions for identifying agents and receivers of actions. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
Who called you last night?
When 'who' is the subject, do not add auxiliary 'did'.
Who did you call last night?
When 'who' is the object, use auxiliary 'did + subject + base verb'.
What happened after the meeting?
'What' is the subject of 'happened', so no auxiliary is needed.
subject question: wh + verb; object question: wh + auxiliary + subject + baseKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- When 'who' is the subject, do not add auxiliary 'did'.
- When 'who' is the object, use auxiliary 'did + subject + base verb'.
- 'What' is the subject of 'happened', so no auxiliary is needed.
- Here 'what' is the object, so use 'did she buy'.
- The wh-phrase is the subject, so the verb follows directly.
Common mistakes
Not:Who did called you last night?
Use:Who called you last night?
When 'who' is the subject, do not add auxiliary 'did'.
Not:Who called you call last night?
Use:Who did you call last night?
When 'who' is the object, use auxiliary 'did + subject + base verb'.
Not:What did happened after the meeting?
Use:What happened after the meeting?
'What' is the subject of 'happened', so no auxiliary is needed.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
What ____ she buy at the market?
did
Here 'what' is the object, so use 'did she buy'.
Which team ____ the match?
won
The wh-phrase is the subject, so the verb follows directly.
Which team ____ they support?
do
The wh-phrase is the object, so use auxiliary 'do'.