Asking questions in English

Take a look at the explanation and learn to form questions correctly and try some yourself.

Click on the links below.

Question Practice

How to sound more polite when you are asking questions

Vocabulary builder – do the exercises and then try using the words in your speaking and writing

Using adjectives

Adjectives describe nouns, e.g.

• a quiet town
• a sandy beach 
• the tallest building
• The building is very old.

Task 1

Underline all the adjectives in this description of a hotel.

This comfortable hotel with its pleasant gardens is ideal for people who want a quiet holiday, yet it is only a short distance from the highly popular attractions of the area.  There are lovely views from every room.  The atmosphere is very friendly, and the staff are always helpful.  A holiday here is very good value for money.  You can eat your meals at the hotel, where the food tastes delicious.  Or you can, of course, try some of the excellent local restaurants.

It is easy to confuse adjectives that end in  –ing and -ed.  As a very general rule,  -ing adjectives describe things or situations while –ed adjectives describe people’s feelings.

  e.g. 

Here are some more examples of adjective pairs ending in –ing and –ed:

Task 2

Complete the following conversation by adding –ing or –ed endings to the words in brackets.

Vicky: That was an ………exciting….(excit…) film, wasn’t it?

Rachel: Oh, do you think so?  I’m ………………… (surpris…) you liked it.   I 

thought it was rather ………………. (disappoint…).

Vicky: Well, I was………………… (puzzl…) once or twice.  I didn’t understand 

the whole story.  It was ………………… (confus…) in places.  But the

end was very good.

Rachel: I was………………(bor…) most of the time.  I didn’t find it very ……….

…………… (interest…).

Task 3 

Now complete the following conversations using adjectives ending in –ing or –ed.

1. David:  I’m surprised how warm the weather is for April.

Melanie:  Yes, all this sunshine is quite……surprising……

1. Vicky:  I’m not very fit.  I was pretty tired after climbing the mountain.

Natasha:  Yes, I think everyone felt…………………

1. Ben:  I think I need to relax.

Laura:  Well, lying by the pool should be…………………..

1. Vicky:  It was annoying to lose my ticket.

Emma:  You looked really ………………… when you had to buy another one.

1. Sarah:  The show was amusing.

Mark:  Claire was certainly …………………. She couldn’t stop laughing.

1. Daniel:  The museum was interesting, wasn’t it?

Rachel:  It was ok.  I was quite …………………….. in those old maps.

1. Matthew:  I’m fascinated by these old photos.

Emma:  I always find it ………. to see what people looked like in the past.

1. Emily:  Was it a big thrill when you met Kylie Jenner?

Kirsty:  You bet. It was just about the most……………… moment of my life.

1. Nicole:  You look exhausted.  You should go to bed.

Freddie:  Yes, driving down from Scotland was pretty ………………………..

No preposition in Spanish but preposition in English

agradecer	to be grateful (thankful) for
anhelar	to yearn (long) to
apagar	to turn off
aprobar (o-> ue)	to approve of
arrancar	to root up; to pull out; to turn on (car)
atravesar (e -> ie)	to go (run) through; to go across
averiguar	to find out
bajar	to go down; to descend
borrar	to cross out; to erase
botar	to throw away; to toss out
buscar	to look for
caer(se)	to fall down
calentar (e -> ie)	to heat (warm) up
colgar (o -> ue)	to hang up
conocer	to be acquainted with; to know (a person or place)
cortar	to cut off; to cut out
criar	to bring up; to rear
derribar	to knock down; to tear down; to overthrow
destacar	to stand out
elegir	to elect (choose) to
empapar	to absorb; to soak (sponge) up
encender (e -> ie)	to tunr on (lights)
enseñar	to point out; to teach
entregar	to hand over; to deliver
envolver (o -> ue)	to wrap up
escuchar	to listen to
esperar	to wait for; to hope for
huir	to run away; flee from
ignorar	to be ignorant (unaware) of
indicar	to point out
llevar	to carry (take) away
lograr	to succeed in; to manage to
merecer	to deserve to
mirar	to look at
organizar	to set up; to organize
pagar	to pay for
pedir (e -> i)	to ask for
pisar	to step on; to trample
platicar	to talk over, discuss
poder	to be able to
poner	to turn on (an appliance)
preferir	to prefer to
pretender	to seek (aspire) to; to claim to
quitar	to take off
recoger	to pick up
rogar (o -> ue)	to beg for; to pray for
saber	to know how to (do something)
sacar	to take out
salir	to go out
señalar	to point out; to show
separar	to set apart; to separate
soler (o -> ue)	(soler + infinitive) to be accustomed to; to be in the habit of
soplar	to blow out
subir	to go up; to come up; to get on (a train, bus, etc.)
tachar	to cross out; to erase; to correct
tender (e -> ie)	to hang out (laundry); to spread out
yacer	to lie down

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Preposition “a” in Spanish and various in English

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adaptarse a (n., v.)	to adapt oneself to (something, a situation, doing something)
adelantarse a (n., v.)	to step forward to (someone, something, doing something)
animar a (v.)	to encourage to (to do something)
animarse a (v.)	to decide, make up one’s mind to (do something)
aprender a (v.)	to learn to (do something)
apresurarse a(n., v.)	to hasten to, hurry to (somewhere, do something)
arriesgarse a(v.)	to risk (doing something)
asistir a (n.)	to attend (something, a function)
asomarse a (n.)	to appear at, look out from (something)
aspirar a (n., v.)	to aspire to (be something, someone, do something)
atreverse a (v.)	to dare to (do something)
aventurarse a(v.)	to adventure to (do something)
ayudar a (v.)	to help to (do something), to aid in (doing something)
burlar a (n.)	to deceive, play a trick on (someone)
comenzar a (v.)	to begin to (do something)
comprometerse a (v.)	to make a commitment to (do something)
condenar a (v.)	to condemn to (do something)
consagrarse a(n.)	to devote oneself to (someone, something)
contribuir a (n., v.)	to contribute to (something, doing something)
convidar a (n., v.)	to invite to (a function, do something)
correr a (n., v.)	to run to (somewhere, do something)
cuidar a (n.)	to care for, take care of (a person)
dar a (n.)	to face (something)
dar cuerda a (n.)	to wind (a watch)
decidirse a (v.)	to decide to (do something)
dirigirse a (n., v.)	to go to (a place); to address (someone); to direct oneself to (do something)
disponerse a (v.)	to prepare to, be disposed to (do something)
empezar a (v.)	to begin to (do something)
enseñar a (v.)	to teach to (do something)
forzar a (v.)	to force to (do something)
impulsar a (v.)	to impel to (do something)
incitar a (v.)	to incite to (do something)
inducir a (v.)	to induce to (do something)
inspirar a (v.)	to inspire to (do something)
instar a (v.)	to urge to (do something)
invitar a (n., v.)	to invite to (a function, something, do something)
ir a (n., v.)	to go to (a place); to be going to (do something)
limitarse a (v.)	to limit oneself to (do something)
llegar a (n., v.)	to arrive at (a place); to be going to (do something)
meterse a (v.)	to take up (doing something)
montar a (n.)	to ride (something – a horse)
negarse a (v.)	to refuse to (do something)
obligar a (v.)	to oblige to (do something)
ofrecerse a (v.)	to offer to, promise to, volunteer to (do something)
oler a (n.)	to smell like (something)
oponerse a (n., v.)	to oppose, be in opposition to (something, doing something)
pararse a (v.)	to stop (to do something)
parecerse a (v.)	to resemble (someone, something) physically
pasar a (n., v.)	to pass to, preceed to (something, doing something)
persuadir a (v.)	to persuade to (do something)
ponerse a (v.)	to begin to, set out to (do something)
prestarse a (v.)	to lend oneself to (doing something)
probar a (n.)	to try to, attempt to (do something)
quedarse a (v.)	to stay to, remain to (do something)
rebajarse a (n., v.)	to stoop to (someone, a situation, doing something)
reducirse a (n., v.)	to reduce (a situation or oneself) to (something, do something)
rehusar a (v.)	to refuse to (do something)
renunciar a (n.)	to renounce, give up, quit (something, a job)
resignar a (n., v.)	to resign oneself to (something, doing something)
resistirse a (n., v.)	to resist (something, doing something)
resolverse a (v.)	to make up one’s mind to, to resolve to (do something)
retirarse a (n., v.)	to retire to (a place, do something)
romper a (v.)	to start suddenly to (do something)
saber a (n.)	to taste like (something)
sentarse a (n., v.)	to sit down to (something, do something)
someterse a (n., v.)	to submit oneself to (something, doing something)
sonar a (n.)	to sound like (something)
subir a (n.)	to go up to, climb, get on (something)
venir a (n., v.)	to come to (a place, do something)
volver a (n., v.)	to return to (a place); to (do something) again

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“Con” in Spanish  various prepositions in English

aburrirse con(n.)	to be or get bored with (someone, something)
acabar con (n.)	to finish with/off, get rid of (someone, something)
amenazar con(n., v.)	to threaten with (someone, doing something)
asociarse con(n.)	to associate with, team up with (someone)
asustarse con(n.)	to be afraid of, be frightened by (someone, something)
bastar con (n., v.)	(3rd-person) to be sufficient, have enough of (someone, doing something)
casarse con(n.)	to marry (someone)
comerciar con(n.)	to trade in/with (a person, a business)
conformarse con (n., v.)	to conform to, resign oneself, make do (someone, doing something)
contar con (n.)	to count on (someone, something)
contentarse con (n.)	to content oneself with (something)
dar con (n.)	to come upon (someone, something)
disfrutar con(n.)	to enjoy (someone, something)
divertirse con(n.)	to enjoy, have fun/a good time with (someone, something)
encontrarse con (n.)	to meet up with, run into (someone)
enfadarse con(n.)	to get angry at/with (someone, something)
enojarse con(n.)	to get angry at/with (someone, something)
equivocarse con (n.)	to make a mistake about, be mistaken about (someone, something)
espantarse con (n.)	to become afraid of (someone, something)
juntarse con(n.)	to associate with, join (forces) with (someone)
limpiar con (n.)	to clean (somethng) with (something)
llenar con (n.)	to fill (something) with (something)
meterse con(n.)	to bother, pick a fight with (someone, something)
preocuparse con (n.)	to worry about (someone, something)
recrearse con(n.)	to amuse oneself with (something)
romper con(n.)	to break up with, break off relations with (someone)
salir con (n.)	to go out with, date (someone)
soñar con (n.)	to dream of/about (someone, something, doing something)
tratar(se) con(n.)	to associate with, have dealings with (someone, something)
tropezarse con(n.)	to bump into (someone, something), stumble over (something)

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“De” in Spanish  various prepositions in English

aburrirse de(n., v.)	to be bored by/with (someone, something, doing something)
abusar de (n.)	to take advantage of, impose upon, abuse (someone, something)
acabar de (v.)	to have just (done something)
acordarse de(n., v.)	to remember (someone, something, to do something)
alegrarse de(n., v.)	to be glad of/about (something), to be happy to (do something)
alejarse de(n.)	to go/get away from (someone, something, somewhere)
aprovecharse de (n., v.)	to take advantage of (someone, something, doing something)
arrepentirse de (n., v.)	to repent, be sorry for (something, doing something)
asombrarse de (n.)	to be astonished at (something)
avergonzarse de (n.)	to be ashamed of (someone, something)
brindar la salud de (n.)	to toast (someone)
burlarse de(n.)	to make fun of (someone, something)
cansarse de(n., v.)	to be/get tired of (someone, something, doing something)
carecer de(n.)	to lack (something)
cesar de (v.)	to cease (doing something)
conseguir (algo) de (n.)	to obtain/get (something) from (someone, something)
cuidar de (n.)	to care for, take care of (something)
deber de (v.)	to suppose [conjecture], “must be” (someone, something)
dejar de (v.)	to stop (doing something)
depender de(n., v.)	to depend on (someone, something, doing something)
encargarse de (n., v.)	to take charge of (someone, something, doing something)
estar encargado de(n., v.)	to be in charge of (someone, something, doing something)
gozar de (n.)	to enjoy (something)
haber de (v.)	to suppose [conjecture] to (be or do something)
hablar de (n., v.)	to talk of/about, speak of (someone, something, doing something)
jactarse de(n., v.)	to brag about, boast of (something, doing something)
librarse de(n.)	to get rid of (someone, something)
llenar(se) de(n.)	to fill (up) with (something)
maldecir de(n.)	to speak ill of (something)
maravillarse de (n.)	to marvel at (someone, something)
marcharse de(n.)	to leave, walk away from (a place)
morir de (n.)	to die [literally] of/from (an illness, a situation)
morirse de(n.)	to be dying [figuratively] for/of (something)
ocuparse de(n.)	to concern oneself with, pay attention to, deal with (someone, something, doing something)
olvidarse de(n., v.)	to forget (someone, something, to do something)
parar de (v.)	to cease, stop (doing something)
pensar de (n.)	to think of, have an option about (someone, something)
preciarse de(n., v.)	to brag about, boast of, pride oneself on (something, doing something)
prescindir de(n., v.)	to do without, neglect (someone, something, doing something)
probar de (n.)	to sample, take a taste of (something)
quejarse de(n., v.)	to complain of/about (someone, something, doing something)
salir de (n.)	to leave, go away from (a place)
separarse de(n.)	to leave, part company with (someone, something, a place)
servir de (n.)	to act as, serve as, be useful for (someone, something)
sorprenderse de (n.)	to be surprised at, be amazed at (something)
terminar de(v.)	to finish (doing something)
tratar de (v.)	to try to (do something)
tratarse de(n., v.)	to be a question of (something, doing something)

“En”  in Spanish  various prepositions in English

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abdicar en (n.)	to abdicate (the throne, etc.) to (someone)
complacerse en(n., v.)	to take pleasure in (something, doing something)
confiar en (n., v.)	to trust, confide in (someone, a situation, doing something)
consentir en (v.)	to consent to (do something)
consistir en (n., v.)	to consist of (something, doing something)
convenir en (n., v.)	to agree to (something, doing something)
convertirse en(n.)	to become, change into (someone, something)
empeñarse en(n., v.)	to insist on, persist in, get involved in (something, doing something)
equivocarse en(n.)	to make a mistake in (something)
esforzarse en(n., v.)	to try hard in (something), to endeavor to (do something)
influir en (n.)	to influence, have effect on (someone, something)
insistir en (n., v.)	to insist on (something, doing something)
interesarse en(.)	to be interested in (someone, something)
meterse en (n., v.)	to become involved in (something, doing something)
mojarse en (n.)	to get mixed up in (something)
molestarse en(v.)	to take the trouble to (do something)
montar en (n.)	to ride (something – a bicycle)
obstinarse en(n., v.)	to persist in (something, doing something)
ocuparse en (n., v.)	to be busy with (something, doing something)
parar(se) en (n.)	to stop at, stay at (a place)
pensar en (n., v.)	to think about (someone, something, doing something)
persistir en (n., v.)	to persist in (something, doing something)
quedar en (n., v.)	to agree to (something, do something)
reflexionar en(n.)	to reflect on, think bout (something)
tardar (tiempo) en (n., v.)	to delay in (something, doing something), to take (time) to (do something)
trabajar en (n.)	to work on/at (something)
verse en (n.)	to find oneself in/at (a situation, a place)

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 “Para” in Spanish various prepositions in English

estar listo/a para (v.)	to be ready for (do something)
estar para (v.)	to be about to (do something)
quedarse para(v.)	to stay to (do something)
prepararse para(n., v.)	to prepare oneself (for something, to do something)
sentarse para(v.)	to sit down to (do something)
servir para (n., v.)	to be of use for, serve as (something, doing something)
trabajar para (n., v.)	to work for (someone, a company); to strive to (do something)

“Por” in Spanish  various prepositions in English

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abogar por (n.)	to plead on behalf of (someone, something)
acabar por (v.)	to end by, wind up (doing something)
apurarse por(n., v.)	to worry oneself about, fret over (someone, something, doing something)
cambiar por(n.)	to exchange (something); to change (something) into (something)
clasificar por(n.)	to classify in/by (something)
dar gracias por(n., v.)	to thank for, give thanks for (something, doing something)
esforzarse por(n., v.)	to strive for (something, something, doing something)
estar por (v.)	to be inclined to (do something), be in favor to (doing something)
hacer por (v.)	to try to (do something)
impacientarse por (n., v.)	to grow impatient for, be impatient to (someone, something, doing something)
llorar por (n., v.)	to cry for/about (someone, something, doing something)
luchar por (n., v.)	to struggle for (someone, something, doing something)
mandar por(n.)	to send via (something -mail)
mirar por (n.)	to care about, worry about (someone)
morirse por(n., v.)	to be dying for (something, doing something)
ofenderse por(n., v.)	to be offended by (something, doing something)
optar por (n., v.)	to choose, opt for (something, doing something)
preocuparse por (n., v.)	to worry about (someone, something, doing something)
rabiar por (n., v.)	to be crazy about (someone, something, doing something)
terminar por(v.)	to end by (doing something)
trabajar por(n.)	to work for (someone – as a substitute)
votar por (n.)	to vote for (someone, something)