An interrogative sentence asks a question, and ends with a question mark, rather than a period. Examples of interrogative sentences include sentences that are affirmative, and those which are negative. Interrogative sentences are common because the question and answer form of dialogue is a necessary part of everyday speech and conversation

How to Identify an Interrogative Sentence

An interrogative sentence is very simple to identify. This type of sentence always asks a question or requests information, plus, the verb in the verb phrase appears before the subject. This is directly opposite to the structure in a declarative sentence, exclamatory or imperative sentence. In these, the subject appears before the verb.

Are you going to class today?

An interrogative sentence re-orders a declarative sentence.

You are going to class today.

Are is the verb.  You is the subject.

 

Affirmative and Negative Interrogative Sentences

Do you want to eat these carrots?
Don’t you want to eat these carrots?

 

Yes/No Interrogative Sentence

These sentences are formed as questions which require a yes or no answer.

Do you like Chinese food?

 

Alternative Interrogative Sentence

These are sentences formed to give you an answer from 2 or more options.

Do you want to play Scrabble or Uno?

 

Wh Interrogative Sentence

Wh-interrogatives sentences begin with a wh-word and call for an open-ended answer. Wh- words mean the words: who, which, what, etc.  A yes or no answer isn’t appropriate for these questions, nor does the question  provide alternative answers.  The answer can be a simple response or complex explanation. These are called interrogative pronouns.

What is your nationality?
Where is the library?
Which is your house?

 

Tag Interrogative Sentence

This is when question is attached to a declarative statement, thereby making the sentence an interrogative one.

You know how to cook these, don’t you?

 

Declarative Sentence Structure

Interrogative sentences can also be in terms of structure a declarative sentence, except that it has a question mark at the end. You intone the end of the sentence by lifting it a bit to indicate that this is a question

You’re leaving so soon?

As you can see, you use an interrogative sentence to obtain information. The question mark at the end of the sentence indicates an interrogative sentence.